How to Peel Vegetables

Peeling a Fruit with a Pairing Knife

1. To peel an apple with a pairing knife, cradle the apple in one hand. Place the tip of the pairing knife next to the top of the apple and insert horizontally just under the skin.
2. Peel away at the top of the apple in a circular motion, working away from fingertips and turning the apple in a controlled fashion. Your thumb works to give your knife leverage and the hand that is cradle the apple does most of the turning.
3. Clean up the stem and the bottom by inserting the tip of the knife at an angle toward the core and twisting the apple circular motion.
4. Place the peeled apple in lemon water to prevent oxidizing or browning. Oxidizing is the browning that occurs when the flesh of certain fruits is exposed to air. It has no taste, but can make foods look unappetizing.

Peeling a Sweet Potato with a Swivel Peeler

1. Hold the sweet potato in one hand and drag the peeler down the side (away from you) with the other.
2. Rotate potato and continue until completely peeled.
3. Hold the peeled sweet potato in a water bath to prevent oxidizing.