Skinning and deseeding tomatoes

Tomato is beloved of many cuisines and adds sour and stimulating taste, but is highly acidic so is considered Rajasic (see here). It is good for Kapha, but should be kept to a minimum for Vata and Pitta. The skins and seeds are irritating for some, so Ayurveda recommends skinning and deseeding them.

1 For tomato chunks: score an ‘X’ into the base of each tomato and place in a bowl. Cover in boiling water and leave for a minute. Peel off the skin, cut in half and use a teaspoon to scoop out the seeds.

2 For tomato sauce: roughly blend, then pour into a sieve, using the back of a spoon to push through the tomato juices leaving behind the skins and seeds.