How to Blanch Tomatoes

Blanching or quickly boiling tomatoes and then immediately placing them in ice water is a technique that helps peel tomatoes faster without making them mushy. This is often the first step in recipes like soups or tomato sauces. Here’s a super fast way to blanch tomatoes:

• Preparation time: 10-20 minutes
• Blanching time: 1 minute
• Total time: 10-20 minutes

Wash the tomatoes. Be sure to clean off any dirt from the tomatoes before blanching.

Remove the stem. When blanching, you won’t need the green stem of the tomato, so make sure to cut it off.

Cut an "X" at the bottom of the tomato. Cutting an "X" at the bottom helps the hot water from the boiling pot penetrate the tomato, softening its skin and making it easier to peel. Use a sharp knife to score an "X" at the base of each tomato.

Boil a large pot of water. Fill the pot about three-quarters full with water (large enough to fit the tomatoes). Add a pinch of salt to the water and bring it to a boil.

Prepare an ice water bath. Fill a large bowl with water and ice. You’ll immediately place the tomatoes into the ice water after boiling to stop them from overcooking. This step ensures the tomatoes don't turn mushy during blanching.

Place the tomatoes in boiling water. Blanch them for about 30 seconds.

Use a slotted spoon to scoop out the tomatoes. Be careful not to take out the boiling water with it.

Immediately place the tomatoes into ice water. Let them sit in the water for about 30 seconds.

Peel off the skin. Use a sharp knife to gently slide under the tomato skin and pull it off. Be cautious not to cut into the flesh of the tomato.

Finish the process.

Place the tomatoes into boiling water. Simply wash the tomatoes and drop them in without cutting.

Boil briefly. Be sure not to overcook them.

Once the tomato skins begin to peel off, remove them and transfer to a bowl of cold water. If possible, add ice cubes to the water. If not, cold water will suffice.

Peel the tomatoes once they have cooled. You can use a knife if necessary.

• Make sure the knife is sharp. A sharp knife is safer than a dull one because it requires less force to peel tomatoes. Furthermore, you are less likely to slip and cut your hand. However, you should still be cautious when using a knife to avoid injury.

• Water
• Large pot
• Medium-sized bowl
• Ice cubes
• Sharp knife
• Slotted spoon