Brilio.net - Peeling boiled potatoes may seem like an easy job, but there are often obstacles that make it troublesome. If peeled while still hot, your hands can get hot. Conversely, if left to cool for too long, the potato skin will stick tightly and be difficult to peel. Well, there is a practical way to overcome this problem without the need for a knife and without making your hands hot!
With the right technique, peeling boiled potatoes can be done in seconds. This method is perfect for those of you who want to make homemade potato cakes, mashed potatoes , or French fries without having to bother peeling them one by one before boiling. Come on, check out the easy trick!
Why Are Boiled Potatoes Hard to Peel?
Before getting into the solution, it is important to know why boiled potatoes can be difficult to peel:
- When it is still hot, the skin is easier to peel off, but holding it directly can hurt your fingers.
- When cold, the potato skins stick more to the flesh, making the peeling process longer and less effective.
- The soft texture of potatoes after boiling can cause them to fall apart if not peeled properly.
Luckily, there are some simple methods that can be used to peel potato skins easily without torturing your fingers.
The Most Practical Way to Peel Boiled Potatoes Without a Knife and Without Hot Fingers
Here are some tricks for peeling boiled potatoes quickly and easily:
1. Cold Water Immersion Technique (Ice Bath Method)
This method is very popular and is often used by professional chefs to peel potatoes easily.
The method:
1. Boil the potatoes as usual until cooked. To test for doneness, pierce them with a fork; if the fork goes in easily, the potatoes are ready.
2. Prepare a large bowl filled with ice water or cold water.
3. As soon as the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to ice water and let them sit for 15-30 seconds.
4. Remove the potatoes, then squeeze gently with your hands. The skin will come off easily without needing to be peeled off one by one.
Advantages of this method:
- Prevents hands from getting hot.
- Potato skin peels off faster.
- Potatoes remain intact without much breaking down.
2. Skin Cutting Technique Before Boiling
If you want a more practical way, you can try the technique of cutting the skin before boiling.
The method:
1. Use a knife or kitchen scissors to make a circular cut in the center of the potato.
2. Boil the potatoes as usual until cooked.
3. Once cooked, hold both ends of the potato and pull the skin in opposite directions. The skin will come right off without the need for manual peeling!
Advantages of this method:
- Very fast and does not require much effort.
- Suitable for large quantities of potatoes.
3. Clean Cloth Friction Technique
This method is suitable if you don't want to use a knife or scissors at all.
The method:
1. Boil the potatoes until cooked.
2. Take a clean cloth or dry kitchen towel.
3. Rub the potatoes with the cloth in a circular motion. The skins will come off on their own without having to peel them one by one.
Advantages of this method:
- No sharp tools required.
- Can be done immediately after the potatoes are cooked.
4. Techniques for Using a Spoon or Fork
If you don't want to touch the potatoes directly, you can use a spoon to peel them.
The method:
1. Boil the potatoes until cooked.
2. Use the back of a spoon to gently rub the potato skins.
3. The skin will be lifted without damaging the inside of the potato.
Advantages of this method:
- More hygienic because it does not come into direct contact with hands.
- No additional tools needed other than a regular spoon.
5. Steaming technique rather than boiling
Steaming potatoes can make the skins come off more easily without any extra tricks.
The method:
1. Steam the potatoes for 20-25 minutes over medium heat.
2. Once cooked, press the skin slightly with your hand or a tool such as a fork, and the skin will come off by itself.
Advantages of this method:
- The potato flavor is richer because it doesn't absorb too much water.
- The skin is easier to peel than boiled directly in water.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked and Easy to Peel Potatoes
In addition to using the techniques above, also pay attention to the following tips:
- Use potatoes of uniform size so they cook evenly.
- Don't boil potatoes for too long, as this can make them too soft and difficult to peel.
- Add salt to the boiling water to help speed up exfoliation.
- Don't leave the potatoes in the ice water for too long so that the texture remains soft.