Tomatoes, Peeling and Seeding

There is little to equal the taste of fresh ripe tomatoes in season; out of season, peeled, canned tomatoes make a good substitute. Most recipes require that fresh tomatoes be peeled. To do so, mark an X on the bottom of each tomato with a sharp knife. Plunge tomatoes into boiling water and blanch for 20 seconds, removing with a slotted spoon. Rinse with cold water. Drain, and slip off the skin. To seed, cut them open around the middle, and squeeze out and discard the seeds.