How to Peel and Seed a Tomato

How do you peel and seed a tomato? This is a frequent question because so many recipes, many of mine included, call for a tomato to be peeled and seeded. There's a very easy answer ... all you need is a paring knife and a pot of simmering water.

First bring a pot of water large enough to hold the 
tomatoes to a simmer. Core the tomatoes and cut a 
small X in one side.

Using tongs, carefully lower the tomatoes into the 
simmering water. Keep tomatoes in the water just long 
enough for the skin to start to peel away. It should only 
take a few seconds.

Remove the tomatoes and either plunge them into a 
bowl of cold water or rinse in cold water under the faucet 
to keep the tomatoes from cooking.



Peel off the skin.

Break or slice open the tomatoes and scoop out the 
seeds with your hands or a spoon.

Briefly rinse them again to make sure all the seeds have 
been removed.

Let tomatoes drain on a paper towel.

Roughly chop the tomatoes to make a tomato concassé, 
or whirl it in a blender for use in a recipe.