Using a sharp knife make a cross on the base of the tomato, the end without the eye.
Don't cut deeply, it's a shallow cut to break the skin of the tomato. This will be the starting point to peel the tomato, that's why you make the cuts.
Stick a fork on the other end, the end with the eye.
Bring water to a rolling boil and holding the fork submerge the tomato.
You must hold down the tomato so it is completely submerged.
Count 10 Mississippis (conte dez segundos)
Remove the tomato from the boiling water and run it under cold water for a few seconds so you stop the cooking process and the tomato is cool enough to be handled.
Carefully use your fingers to peel the tomato starting from the cross.
Cut the tomato in half.
Remove the seeds with a small spoon or with your finger under running water, which is actually easier.
Some people like to remove the whole inside.
Remove the eye and an now you can chop the tomato if this is what you want to do.
And there you have it!
If you have MANY tomatoes to peel:
- Bring water to a rolling boil.
- Prepare a bowl with water and a few cubes of ice.
- Make the crosses on the tomatoes. (but don't stick any fork on them)
- Place ALL tomatoes in the boiling water and keep stirring them to make sure their whole surface is exposed to the boiling water.
- I recommend doing 5-6 tomatoes at a time.
- Count 15 Mississipis.
- Scoop them with a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl with water and ice.
- Remove the peels. Yeahhh!