Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, and place a bowl of cold water next to your stove.

Use a small knife to cut a shallow circle around the top of each tomato, removing its stem.

Flip the tomato upside down and slice a very shallow X on its bottom, just piercing the skin.

Though this step isn’t totally necessary, it will make peeling slightly easier.

Use a spoon to lower each tomato into the pot of boiling water for 15 seconds, then immediately plunge it into the cold water to stop it from cooking further.

Remove the tomato from the cold water.

Use your thumb and the small knife against the four small triangles you created with the X cut, and peel the skin downward to remove.