easy way to peel shallots?

[boobesque]

Hi, i use shallots in my cooking quite a lot, but i get sooooo annoyed while peeling them, they are so fiddly and i usually put in less than i wouls as i get bored halfway!

is there any way to peel them that is easy and not so time consuming?

[Donquixote]

Easiest way to peel shallots is to 'top-and-tail' them, without going all the way through. You then peel from the attached side and the rest comes away easily.

[andyjevs]

I'm sure i read somewhere that you can drop them in boiling water for a few seconds and the skin peels off easily

[WendyS]

When peeling onions (especially pickling onions which like shallots are a nightmare) I drop them in warm water for a couple of minutes. This will soften that horrible outer brown skin which can be quite painful, especially if it catches under your fingernails when trying to prise it away.

[waimarie]

Definitely the easiest way to peel shallots or button onions is to place in a saucepan, just cover with water and bring the boil or to drop them into boiling water for a minute or two. The most important part of all this is to completely 'refresh' them by draining and covering with running cold water to stop the cooking process.

[Litchick]

How about putting them in a garlic press? Granted it's more crushed than chopped, but it will eliminate the fuss and peel!

[beerbelly]

sit down with a glass of wine ( or a bottle ) , put a CD on ,
and take your time !
if you gotta do it do it right !

[boobesque]

beer belly, thats a lovely idea, but 1. i am pregnant so dont drink and 2. i am wayyyy to impatient!

thanks guys, i will try the boiling water method!