How to Peel Peaches

Whether you are peeling a peach for your family or peeling lots of peaches for canning, this is a sure way to make quick and easy work of it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paring Knife
• Peaches
• Pot of Boiling Water
• Pot of Ice Cold Water

1. Clean Your Peaches
   
   While you may think it's unnecessary to clean a peach you are just going to peel, it's still very important to get any chemicals that can leach into your peaches off the surface and remove any large dirt particles. Run your peaches under cold water and gently rub the skins thoroughly.

2. Boil Peaches For a Minute or So
   
   Often called blanching, placing your peaches in boiling water for up to two minutes cooks the surface slightly which loosens the skins from the flesh. Place several peaches at a time in your pot but ensure that they are completely submerged for about a minute.

3. Remove and Shock the Peaches
   
   Remove your peaches from the boiling water and place them in your pot of ice cold water to sit.

4. Remove from Ice Bath and Slice
   
   Take your first peach out, after allowing it to cool in the ice bath for a minute, and cut the peach in half from top to bottom. Each side should peel break apart easily. Remove the pit with your thumb nail from the center out.

5. Peel Away!
   
   Take the peel with your thumb and forefinger from the top (where the stem would be) and peel down the back. If you've boiled them long enough the skin should come off in one or two pieces. If you need to, try using a paring knife to get the peel started. If your peaches are exceptionally stubborn you can start the process over from step 2.

Tips & Warnings

• Cutting the peaches in half before you peel gives you a better grip on the peach so you can get the pit out a little easier.
• To peel a peach and keep it whole, simply skip the slicing step and pinch the skin near the stem to get started or use a knife and cut a slit in the skin near the stem.
• Always ensure your hands, tools, and peaches are clean when starting this process.

[mamaseversike]

on 9/4/2009 And always buy "clingfree" peaches! :)