Before adding tomatoes to homemade tomato sauce, many recipes say to peel the tomatoes first. Can you skip that step?
Does it make a difference if you peel those gorgeous tomatoes before turning them into a fresh tomato sauce?
Yes, peeling tomatoes before making pasta sauce is worthwhile. According to AllRecipes, removing the tomato skins will make your sauce smoother and sweeter.
And, according to chef Simon Hopkinson (via The Guardian), tomatoes should always be peeled for meals where texture is important.
It would be unwise to add coarsely chopped tomato to a stew or vegetable medley without first peeling it, as the 'needles' of the tomato skin would permeate the meal.
You should cut an X into the bottom of the tomato, blanch it for 30 seconds in boiling water, & then lay it in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Then remove the peels.
To save time, Simon Hopkinson does not put the tomatoes in an ice bath but rather peels them under cold running water.
The texture and flavor of your sauce or canned tomatoes will be enhanced by peeling the tomatoes before use.