How to Separate Potatoes From the Skins (7 Steps)

Peeling potatoes with a vegetable peeler is not the easiest way to get the skins off, especially for cooks who have difficulty using a peeler. Instead, parboiling and cooling potatoes--using only boiling water, ice water and a knife--removes the stubborn peel in minutes. For someone who can't use a vegetable peeler, such as an arthritis sufferer, this method of separating the skins from potatoes works so quickly you may never use a vegetable peeler again.

Things You'll Need

  • Potatoes
  • Water
  • Colander
  • Pan
  • Large bowl
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. Rinse the potatoes in a sink under running water to remove any dirt, then place in a colander to drain.

  2. Fill a pan half full of water and bring to a boil on the stove for 15 minutes.

  3. Place a whole potato on a cutting board, then score just through the skin around the largest part of the potato with a sharp paring knife. Score the rest of the potatoes and set aside.

  4. Place the scored potatoes into the boiling water using a slotted spoon and boil for 2 minutes.

  5. Fill a large bowl with cold water and add ice to the water. Remove the potatoes to the bowlful of ice water to chill using a slotted spoon.

  6. Leave the potatoes in the ice water for at least 10 seconds. Take a chilled potato out of the ice water and slide the loose potato skin off the potato using your fingers.

  7. Discard the skin and place the peeled potato into a bowl until ready to use; continue removing the skins of the potatoes until they are all peeled.