How to Save Time Peeling Fruit and Vegetables

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Most people peel fruit and vegetables with an ordinary kitchen knife. Because they lack tools specially made for cutting produce, they spend more time than needed to prepare to cook. Learn how to use the right tools for the task and make better use of your time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Peel Butternut Squash

Step 1

Trim ends using a chef's knife.
Step 2

Hold the vegetable steady. Cut the squash in half across the neck. Slice the pieces into halves lengthwise.
Step 3

Scoop all seeds out.
Step 4

Lay the squash with the cut side face down.
Step 5

Use long, straight strokes to pull a Y-shaped peeler across the surface. Press firmly.

Peel Sweet Potatoes

Step 1

Rinse the vegetable and dry it.
Step 2

Hold an end. Lay the other end on the cutting board.
Step 3

Scrape away from your body and downward, using a Y-shaped peeler or a swivel.
Step 4

Dig out leftover eyes with the pointed part of the peeler.

Peel an Onion

Step 1

Use a chef's knife to clip the ends.
Step 2

Make a slight cut through the outer skin and the first layer. Start at the top and slice to the bottom. Repeat the shallow cut about 2 inches from the first cut.
Step 3

Remove skin and the surface layer between the cuts. Tear the other parts off in one piece.

Peel an Apple

Step 1

Cut off rings of peel around the apple's stem. Use a swivel or Y-shaped peeler.
Step 2

Scrape downward and at an angle, starting at the peel's edge. Repeat the scraping process.
Step 3

Use a soft touch and a swivel peeler. Follow directions for peeling a rutabaga to take off a peel in one curlicue.

Peel Ginger

Step 1

Cut the knobs off with a paring knife.
Step 2

Grasp the ginger tightly. Push down hard while pulling a Y-shaped peeler across the surface.
Step 3

Use a paring knife to remove patches of peel stuck in tight corners.

Peel a Rutabaga

Step 1

Use a chef's knife to clip the rutabaga's ends.
Step 2

Select a Y-shaped peeler. Begin at the top of the vegetable and peel around. Work downward. Turn the rutabaga as you cut.
Step 3

Grasp the rutabaga firmly. Expect it to be covered with wax and slippery.