How To: Peel Peaches

Peeling fresh peaches is a lot easier than you think. 

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As I mentioned in my last post, finding time to blog has been a lot more difficult ever since I went back to work. There were nights when I planned to write only to spend my energy doing something else.

But we've finally settled into our new normal, and we've established a comfortable weekday routine. I'm hoping that means I can get back into the rhythm of blogging on a regular basis again.

To start, I'm going to share a post I began planning last summer. We were introducing solid foods into Caroline's diet, and I was making homemade baby food by the ton.

Of course, that included peach purée (post coming). But before I could purée anything, I had to peel the peaches.

And here's how I did it.

Start with fresh peaches and give them all a good wash.

We're fortunate enough to live near a local orchard, so we head there first come peach season. Usually buying way more than we need because they smell so damn good...

Using a sharp paring knife, make a shallow, x-shaped cut into the pointed end of each peach. This will aid in the peeling process later on... Just be careful not to cut too deeply into the flesh of the fruit.

Gently place the peaches into a pot of simmering water, working in batches if necessary. Ideally, you want to use a pot that's deep enough to submerge the peaches completely. If they don't stay submerged, then turn them every now and then so they're heated evenly on all sides.

After about 45 seconds, remove the peaches with tongs or a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl of ice water. This will shock the peaches and stop the cooking process and prevent the peaches from becoming mushy.

Don't. Skip. This. Step.

When you remove the peaches from the ice bath, you should see that the skin has started to pull away on the scored ends.

Using the back of your paring knife, gently pull at the skin to remove it. It should come off easily, but if it doesn't, then simmer the peaches for a few more seconds, cool them down, and try again.

When you've peeled them all, they'll look like this...

... and you'll be all set to remove the pits. You can then move ahead with using them in a baking project, grilling the halves for use in a salad, slicing them and freezing them for later... The possibilities are really endless.

What would you do with these fresh peaches once you've peeled them?

I suggest using them to make sorbet... ;-)

How To: Peel Peaches

1. After washing your peaches, use a sharp paring knife to make a shallow, x-shaped cut into the pointed end of each peach. Be careful not to cut too deeply into the flesh of the fruit.
2. Gently place the peaches into a pot of simmering water, working in batches if necessary, and allow to simmer for 45 seconds. If the peaches don't stay submerged, then turn them occasionally so they heated evenly on all sides.
3. Remove the peaches with a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl of ice water.
4. Once the peaches have cooled completely, remove them from the ice bath. Use the back of your paring knife to gently pull at the skin to remove it.
5. Plan to use the peaches right away or freeze them for later use.

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One year ago: Anatolian Kitchen - Bethlehem, PA
Two years ago: Menu Plan: August 10 - August 16
Three years ago: Menu Plan: August 11 - August 17
Four years ago: Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi Bar - Chicago, IL
Five years ago: Winding Down at Corner Shop Cafe
Six years ago: Georgia's Kitchen Giveaway Winner
Seven years ago: Milk-Steamed Corn on the Cob with Lemon Butter and Parmesan

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