Cooking: To Peel or Not to Peel Veggie Skins?

Question

Should we or shouldn't we peel veggie skins like those of carrots and potatoes before cooking?

This is an ongoing source of humorous disagreement between my wife and me! She peels the skins off of things like carrots and potatoes almost always before cooking. Yet I like to keep the skins on and just scrub and wash them and maybe cut away any dirty-looking parts if I'm making things like a roast or french fries or anything of this sort. She thinks it's rather amateurish to keep the skin on.

My ultimate rationale for keeping the skins on is that I'm lazy! Yet I also enjoy the skin and the sort of rustic feeling it adds to our cooking. To my understanding, the skin also often contains the most nutrients, especially with potatoes. So why not keep the skin?

For the experienced cooks out there, what do you do, and is it case-by-case? What's your rationale?

TrueConfection · Accepted Answer

It sort of depends. If it's a baked potato, skin on. If it's German style potato salad, peel the potatoes. If it's a yummy red or gold potato, skin on no matter what. If I peel a cucumber, it's only a few strips to give it a striped design. Always peel ginger. The only squash I peel is butternut squash. I don't peel eggplant. I'll skin peppers only if I fire roast them.

I always peel the first layer off carrots.

I made baked potatoes for my in-laws once and my fil (who doesn't miss a single day without eating a potato) was so disgusted that the peel was still on, he refused to eat them. The next day, my mil got the rest of the potatoes out of my pantry and peeled them all. 🤔 I guess she wasn't talking any chances!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

As my mom always says, if a cook is offering to cook for you, and you want to be critical of the way they're doing it, then you cook so you don't have to complain!

As long as you've washed the skins, they are not poisonous and you are right about them providing additional nutrition. I often peel them, but in things like stews, I will leave the skin on because I enjoy that more "rustic" taste. Either or is fine.

ChrisMaster69 · Accepted Answer

A lot often comes down to the meal, the vegetable and version of vegetable.

for example some potatoes used for chips (fries) and mash you always peel as the skin is no good, however jacket potato you leave skin on. Boiled potatoes, skin all apart from new potatoes which you can gentle scrub or leave as is.

Melatonia · Accepted Answer

Veggie skins are a huge plus in flavour for me plus you get extra fibre and nutrions  also you produce less food waste

lightbulb27 · Answer

I don't see other animals peeling those veggies... how many rabbites due from soil infections? I say just wash and eat. wasting veggie and nutrient, saves times, environmentally sound. What's the argument against?

it's not always a logical matter though... a sense of cleanliness and presentation refinement. don't think I've ever seen an unpeeled carrot in japanese eatery!

Squaresquirrel · Answer

I don't peel carrots, just wash them.
Potatoes, it depends on my mood and what I'm making.
For mashed potato, I cook the potato in its skin, so it's easier to remove later.
I love chips (UK) with skin on.
Mushrooms, depends on the size and how it looks. Bigger ones I would normally peel.

Razp_Sorbet · Answer

Highly depends on what you're doing/what you like. As long as you are washing them it's not a big deal.

Potato skins are very nutritional but if you want super crispy roast potatoes then the skins are going to prevent that. If you want a super smooth mash probably not a good idea to keep the skins on. If Im not using the skins I rub them down with some oil, salt and pepper and bake them till they're crisp. Healthy little snack.

Redstang88 · Answer

I’m with you, I like the taste and texture of leaving the skin on in most dishes. Honestly I barely wash my veggies, I’ve eaten enough dirt, grease and god knows what else at work so what’s a little more?

Smoke-n-Growls · Answer

If I'm buying farm fresh organic, I won't skin carrots or potatoes. But if I'm buying from a store, I will.

I really like the taste and texture of skins from good quality root crops. Especially carrots.

Little_Bumblebee · Answer

It depends on what sort of potatoes you use and be sure to wash them properly.
The skin is healthy, but some potatoes you really should peel.
So depends on the sort.

New potatoes with skin on are absolute bomb.

IceCreamSandwich · Answer

I always thought not peeling was more mature. Like eating a sandwich with the crust on. But I don't like some skin, so I do still peel stuff like potatoes and apples sometimes.

MysteriousDarkness · Answer

Things like hard winter squashes, onions and garlic should be peeled. Some people might have a hard time digesting the skin of certain vegetables.

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

I peel it. Sometimes the skin can be unsanitary. But it surprised me one time when I was working in the restaurant and they use pealings as a stock.

dustybiker · Answer

I usually scrub them with a brush, unless the meal is designed for peeled specific veggies. Potato skins are very nutritious.

AviatorTom · Answer

The best nutrients are often in the veggie skin, so don't peel them just wash them, but not too hard.

Andres77 · Answer

Depends on the dish. The skins add just a little bitterness to the overall dish. Just a little sweeter without. It's art. I'd decide on a dish by dish basis.

Ringstretch · Answer

I always peel unless it's a jacket potato in which case I give a good wash. Guess it depends on who I'm cooking for and what I'm cooking.
If it's for myself I have my own special recipes and ingredient

DizzyDesii · Answer

Yes. I won't eat potatoes with the skin still on them

CloudMassacre · Answer

I usually just scrub them down and cut out problem spots. I have an apple de-coring slicing thing that I put potatoes in for really fast easy cutting

TacosRAwesome · Answer

I keep skins on where I can because I hate peeling stuff

genericname85 · Answer

i only peel potatoes. the rest, i scrub under running water.

Shamalien · Answer

Go to a fancy restaurant, are the skins on or off? On of course.

LivingExample · Answer

I leave the Skins on. Like you said most of the nutrients and Fiber are in the Skin!

Preeti161101 · Answer

It depends on the kind of vegetables Potato 🥔 carrot 🥕 only wash no need to peel

kuladiamond · Answer

It actually depends on what your making

Apulu_Imback · Answer

I prefer to peel it so does my mom.

Lliam · Answer

I agree with you, especially with potatoes.

sensible27 · Answer

Not sure why you would peel. Or whatt the point is

Blackcupcake · Answer

I say peel!!!

MountAverage · Answer

Depends on the dish, obviously?

Iron_Man · Answer

Yes we should it’s more cleaner tasting and better

xJayleenx · Answer

I don’t think that’s important

dorksided1 · Answer

i peel

goldfleur · Answer

I don’t peel them

jimmy2 · Answer

It's either way

Anonymous · Answer

I say peel.

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