How to Peel Potatoes

Potato and vegetable peeling is every cook’s least favourite chore, but with the right tools and a few easy steps, peeling needn’t be such a hassle.

1.    Start with a good peeling utensil. A simple stainless steel peeler with a sharp blade, and in good order, will get through the job quicker and require less force. The harder the force used, the more likely your hand is to slip and end up with a nasty cut.

2.    Wash your peeler thoroughly in hot soapy water. Bacteria and food particles are easily hidden on and under the blade.

3.    Scrub the potato clean. This step gets rid of dirt and earth than can dull the peeler and dirty the cutting board or bench top.

4.    Grasp the potato firmly in your secondary hand. Use your primary (writing) hand to hold the peeler with the blade facing the potato. Applying pressure, shave the potato downwards and away from yourself.

5.    Turn the potato slightly, and adjust your grip. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until the potato skin is completely removed.