Peeling tomatoes is very simple

Peeling tomatoes is easy and quick even if you have never done it before. Some people make it sound complicated, but hot water is all you need. Here's how you do it.

Ripe tomatoes to illustrate this peeling tomatoes page.

Ripe tomatoes for
peeling with hot water

How to peel tomatoes

Place the tomatoes in any heat-resistant bowl or deep container. It should be large enough for the tomatoes you want to peel.

Bring water to a boil. 1 quarter (1 l) should be enough for 4 medium-sized tomatoes. That said, the quantity of water depends on the number of tomatoes you are peeling, and the size of your container. Increase the amount of water accordingly.

When the water is hot, pour it in the bowl containing the tomatoes. The hot water should cover the tomatoes well.

Leave the tomatoes in the hot water for 2 to 5 minutes. If you are busy preparing some other foods, there is no problem with leaving them longer in the hot water, but not so long that the water becomes too cool.

Remove the tomatoes from the water. Use a spoon if the water is still too hot.

Now peel the skin off with a pointed knife or use your hands. This is a matter of preference. The tomato skin should come off effortlessly.

Examples of recipes that call for peeling tomatoes

More Catalan Mediterranean recipes than I can count start with a sofregit sauce that calls for peeling tomatoes.

Some pasta dishes like the pasta recipe in Catalan style I give elsewhere in this Mediterranean food web site assume that you know how to peel tomatoes.

Seafood recipes like the popular suquet de peix, seafood soup recipe uses peeled tomatoes.

We have no choice but to be experts in peeling tomatoes.