Poll: mashed potatoes do you boil with skin on before peeling

[bettyandbob]

I do, I wanted to make a poll because I never have.

 

Eta : added more options to poll

 

ETA I am referring to mashed potatoes, I changed the title. Ooh, I am getting so advanced --/ doing a poll, editing the poll, editing titles...

Edited November 28, 2013 by betty

[DawnM]

You needed one more option!  No peeling here.  We boil them and mash them with skin on.  We like it that way.

[MomOfOneFunOne]

AMDG

 

I also almost always leave the skin on but when I do peel, I do it b/f boiling, toss with olive oil, s/p, and crisp in the oven for a chip-like treat.

Mmmmm!

[Kathryn]

I voted before (for thick skin) and leave it on (for thin skin).

[JFSinIL]

While I used to be in the "peel before" camp, in the last few years I peel HALF the taters, as we like peel on mashed taters - just not too much peel. So I sloppily peel half my taters before, and the remaining peel stays on and gets mashed in.

[Luckymama]

It depends---sometimes we peel before cooking and other times we leave the peels on and mash them that way. I have never peeled cooked potatoes for masheds (I have for potato salad).

[Word Nerd]

I've done it this way a couple of times but usually peel before boiling:

 

 

[Crimson Wife]

Gagging at the thought of peels in mashed potatoes. I pray that I am never a guest at someone's table where I'd have to choke down a bite of mashed potatoes with peel.

 

The only time I eat potato peels are when they are fried and loaded with cheese, sour cream, bacon, etc.

[Amy in NH]

Gagging at the thought of peels in mashed potatoes. I pray that I am never a guest at someone's table where I'd have to choke down a bite of mashed potatoes with peel.

 

The only time I eat potato peels are when they are fried and loaded with cheese, sour cream, bacon, etc.

 

Not even red potatoes?  They are so thin you hardly notice them.  They just add a bit of texture.

[Crimson Wife]

Not even red potatoes?  They are so thin you hardly notice them.  They just add a bit of texture.

I do eat the skin on red potatoes but I only use those in potato salad. Mashed potatoes should have a smooth & creamy texture.

[shukriyya]

Not a mashed potato lover here at all. But if I were skins would def stay on. The thought of all that bland lack of variegated texture is gag-inducing.

[dbmamaz]

I use red potatoes, cook them in the microwave, and do not peel.  I whip them with the kitchenaide mixer, so a lot of the bigger peel pieces stick to the whip, but I like knowing i am getting the nutrition, and its kinda a homey feel.  

[Laurie4b]

I was so thankful to find that our kids liked the mashed potatoes in some restaurants that left the skin on and served them that way. No more peeling before or after for us!

[Dandelion]

I peel before boiling. I'm old school like that. ;-)

[Matryoshka]

99% of the time I peel, then boil and mash.  I use russets, they need to be peeled.  Peeling after?  That's crazy talk!

 

I did also put in a vote for the other option - boil with peels on, then mash with peels on.  That's a completely valid option if you're using red potatoes or maybe Yukon gold and you like your mashed potatoes with some texture.

 

But never peel after.    :confused1:

[bettyandbob]

I peel after. I used to peel before, but someone some years ago showed me peeling after was easier. Plus the potato soaks up less water so if you are mashing the potatoes can soak up more milk, cream or butter. 

 

I boil and drain. Then, I will pick a potato up with a fork (still hot) grab a little skin with a knife using the other hand and the skin just comes off. No working the peeler around dents, dimples of bad spots you cut out. I find it faster than peeling before. Then I either mash or use the ricer. 

 

I don't peel red skin potatoes. I should have thought about that when I made the poll.

[dbmamaz]

actually, when i make potato salad I boil - and found that its easier to peel than to chop boiled red potatoes w skin on.  I mean, the skins just slid off the potato on to the knife.  So now i boil, cut in half, peel, dice (for salad)

[Caitilin]

My family and I much prefer mashed potatoes with skin on, so I never peel them at all. This year we are having blue ones! :)

[LucyStoner]

If you peel after boiling you have to them reheat to serve. Seems a waste of time and energy. Why make life harder? If the skins are coming off, they come off first.

 

Mostly we are a skin on family though. My mashed potatoes get raves from all, even skin haters.

 

My favorite mash for a holiday meal though is russets (peeled), sunchokes and carrot with roasted garlic. These especially get high praise.

[bettyandbob]

If you peel after boiling you have to them reheat to serve. Seems a waste of time and energy. Why make life harder? If the skins are coming off, they come off first.

 

 

 

I don't have to reheat. Read my post above. I hold the hot potato with a fork and the skin just pulls off. It really is faster and the potatoes are just as hot at serving. 

[Rubix]

We peel first if they are Russets, leave the skin on and mash them that way if they are red :)

[G5052]

I did Yukons with the peel on.  The key is to cut them into pieces before boiling so that you don't have big hunks of peel.

[Rosie_0801]

 Mashed potatoes should have a smooth & creamy texture.

 

With enough skin in there for texture to remind everyone to chew!

 

 

I can't remember the last time I cooked for someone I'd peel potatoes for.

 

 

My ex used to puree potatoes in the food processor.  :crying:

[Azalea]

I boil the potatoes skin on. Then after they have cooled a bit, I cut them in half and put them cut side down in a ricer. The potato goes through the ricer and the skin is left behind. So I don't peel at all. 

 

Azalea

[chaya]

russets - peel first

yukon gold - leave peel on and mash in. yum yum yum.