Got a recipe that calls for skinless tomatoes? Follow these simple steps:

Step 1

For easier peeling, start with ripe fruit; be sure to wash it thoroughly and remove any stickers and stems.

Step 2

Flip each tomato over, and with a sharp paring knife, slice an “X” into the bottom of it. (This will make it much easier to grab at the skin and to peel uniformly down side.)

Step 3

Fill a bowl with cold water and add ice cubes.

Step 4

Fill a pot with water and place on the stove to boil. Once the water is at a rolling boil, gently drop the fruit in the boiling water to loosen the skin.

Step 5

After about 20 seconds, take the fruit out of the pot, so it doesn’t cook, and immediately drop it into the bowl of ice water to cool the fruit and stop the cooking process; let sit for about one minute.

Step 6

Start peeling. You may need to grab the paring knife again to help you get off any stubborn skin stragglers.

-- Kristin Koch