How to Blanch Tomatoes for Easy Peeling: An Illustrated Guide
Finished Product
It is possible to peel tomatoes without blanching them, but blanching makes the process much simpler and quicker. It does not hurt or actually cook the tomatoes, and it is almost imperative if you are dealing with large quantities of tomatoes for sauce or other cooked concoctions.
Blanching just means heating food for a short time in boiling water, then cooling it immediately in cold water. With tomatoes, this helps the skins literally slip off, while the tomatoes stay relatively cool.
Step One - Put Tomatoes in Boiling Water
Step Two - Cool Tomatoes Immediately
Comments
Great article, informative and well presented.
Ivorwen, that's too funny. It has always been something I wish I could skip! :D
PN, thank you very much.
I´m the idiot who forgets to put them straight into ice-water..... just leaving them cool down while I´m doing something else... then something else... till I remember .. Oh yes I was blanching tomatoes for easy peeling Duh! Thank you for this.
DF, you crack me up so bad! :) I can relate. Except I'm the idiot who forgets altogether that I'm blanching tomatoes, and leaves them to boil until I remember!
Thanks for this! I have pounds of tomatoes to blanch and freeze today and wasn't sure how to do this. The pictures were great.
Jeanne, you're welcome! I'm so glad to be of help.
Ivorwen 20 months ago
I don't know why, but blanching tomatoes was always one of my favorite parts of preparing food for storage. :)