To blanch tomatoes, follow these simple steps to make peeling their skin easy:
- Wash the tomatoes thoroughly.
- Use a paring knife to cut a shallow "X" on the bottom (blossom end) of each tomato.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Carefully lower the tomatoes into the boiling water using a slotted spoon.
- Boil the tomatoes for about 30 to 60 seconds until you see the skin around the cut start to loosen and peel back.
- Immediately transfer the tomatoes to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Once cool enough to handle, the skin will easily slip off starting from the cut.
This blanching method makes it easier to peel tomatoes for sauces, soups, or canning while preserving their fresh flavor.