Have you ever wondered whether potatoes actually need to be peeled or not, before they are processed? In fact, potatoes don't always have to be peeled, and one of the determining factors is the type of food you'll be making. In particular, some types of potato-based foods have a soft texture and require peeled potatoes, especially since potato skins can make the texture of the food feel crunchier when eaten. While the choice to peel or not peel potatoes is entirely yours, it never hurts to read the following tips to make a more informed decision.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Preserving Potato Skins
Step 1. Preserve organically cultivated potato skins to maximize nutrient intake in the body
Since potatoes are one of the crops most frequently exposed to pesticides, it is best to buy potatoes that are grown organically if you are reluctant to peel the skin.
- Potato skin actually contains more iron than the flesh. In addition, potato skins are also very rich in fiber, B vitamins, and vitamin C, you know!
- However, keep scrubbing the surface of the potatoes under running tap water to remove any adhering bacteria.
Step 2. Do not peel potatoes with low starch content, such as waxy potatoes or new potatoes
Waxy potato varieties, such as yellow potatoes or red potatoes, generally have a thinner skin layer and a richer taste. In particular, small waxy potatoes have a very delicious taste and of course, are difficult to peel because of their very small size. Therefore, there is no need to peel potatoes with this type, especially since the presence of potato skins will not damage the texture or taste of the dish afterwards.
Potatoes with low starch content (new potatoes) will give the best taste if they are processed in a simple way. For example, you only need to bake small potatoes or steam them to retain their natural deliciousness
Step 3. Don't peel the potatoes if you want to save cooking time
If you have to make a large batch of potato dishes, peeling them one at a time will of course take up your valuable time. Therefore, choose potato varieties that are low in starch so that you only need to wash them thoroughly, rather than peel them, before processing the potatoes. After that, cook the potatoes the way you want without peeling the skin!
However, still remove any stained or soiled areas with a small kitchen knife before processing the potatoes
Step 4. Don't peel the potatoes for a more traditional bowl of clear soup or creamy potato soup
Potato soup, both clear and thick and creamy, will actually give a more traditional and homely impression if it is made from unpeeled potatoes, you know! However, to make the potatoes easier to chew, try cutting them into cubes that are 2.5 cm or less thick.
If you want to use Russet potatoes that have a high enough starch content to make the dishes above, don't forget to cut them into small pieces so that later, the potatoes will be easier and more comfortable to chew
Step 5. Don't peel the potatoes if you want a more filling plate
If you want a more filling gratin, baked potato, mashed potato, or French fries, don't peel the potato before cooking it. In addition, the dish will seem more traditional and have a "homey" taste when served.
Since the skin is not peeled, the potatoes should be cooked until they are fully cooked and soft so that the skin is not difficult to chew
Tip:
If the potatoes are going to be baked, there is no need to peel the skin for the best textured dish.
Method 2 of 2: Peeling Potato Skin
Step 1. Peel the potatoes with high starch content
If you want to boil, bake, or mash a potato with a high starch content, such as a Russet or white potato, it's best to peel the thick skin first. When cooked, the potato skin is difficult to soften so that when chewed, of course the texture will feel tough and less delicious to eat.
Tip:
If the potato is low in starch, but the surface is very dirty or stained, it's a good idea to save time by peeling the skin instead of scrubbing the surface and removing the stained areas.
Step 2. Peel conventionally cultivated potatoes to remove excess pesticide content adhering to the surface
If you're concerned about ingesting pesticides, don't forget to peel the potatoes before processing them, or buy potatoes that are grown organically.
Remember, potatoes should still be washed thoroughly before peeling
Step 3. Peel the potatoes to be processed into a soft and tender textured dish
To produce a bowl of mashed potatoes that are very soft, of course, the potatoes must first be peeled before mashing. Also, if you prefer baked potatoes that are crunchy on the outside and very soft on the inside, such as gratins, they should also be peeled before cooking.
If you are going to make cold lettuce, you should peel the potatoes so that the skin does not separate from the flesh when boiling
Step 4. Peel the skin of the potatoes to be processed into soup or puree
Although potato skins can enrich the texture of the soup, don't forget to peel it if you prefer to eat soup with a soft and smooth texture. For example, potatoes must be peeled if they are to be made into a typical French cream soup that is thick but creamy in texture, such as vichyssoise or bisque.
If the soup is going to be served to picky people, try processing it to a puree first. Most likely, they will prefer potatoes with a smooth and creamy consistency to those that are whole
Step 5. Peel potatoes whose surface is not smooth or starts to look green in color
Unfortunately, potatoes can taste bitter and are slightly toxic if they turn green in color. In particular, this condition can occur if potatoes are exposed to light for too long and while they are still edible, the greenish skin of the potatoes must be peeled off before cooking.
If potatoes are going to be eaten by children, do not use green varieties, especially since children are more susceptible to food poisoning from eating green potatoes
Tips
- If you want to make potato dishes for the people closest to you, consider their preferences too. For example, if most of your friends or relatives prefer a traditional-looking potato salad, there's no need to peel the potatoes.
- Whatever your choice, don't forget to keep the surface of the potatoes clean of dirt and grime before processing them.
