How To Peel A Kiwi (Plus Tips On What To Do With It Afterward)

There are a handful of things from New Zealand I cherish dearly: Lord of the Rings scenery, Russell Crowe and kiwi. Nicknamed after the country’s fuzzy little birds, the kiwi (or kiwifruit) was brought into the U.S. from New Zealand in the 1960s. Since then, many people have come to cherish the naturally sweet-tart fruit and it has become a staple in the supermarket.

I’m a sucker for its refreshing, tangy-sweet flavor. It’s one of those never-fail fruits that tastes great whether chopped in a salad, layered in a parfait, or eaten on its own.

Weird fact: The furry kiwi skin is actually edible (it contains tons of fiber, too). But most people prefer to peel it off. This can be done two ways:

With a vegetable peeler: Cut both ends off the fruit, then peel the sides, sliding the peeler gently so as not to crush the fruit.

With a spoon: Cut both ends from fruit. Using a spoon, gently separate flesh from peel by scooping the insides.

It’s really as simple as that.

When you’re finished peeling, there are a variety of ways to enjoy kiwi. Here are some of my favorites:

Freeze for ice pops.

You’ll win everyone’s hearts over with our extra-easy recipe for Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi Pops. The idea is simple: Blend the fruit in a food processor then transfer into Dixie cups. Let it freeze with an ice-pop stick and then remove the cups. You’re left with a refreshing (and healthy) ice pop. For more variation, swap out the pineapple for fresh fruit like strawberry or banana.

Add it to your beverage.

Our Sparkling Kiwi Lemonade uses a speedy kiwi puree to amp up the flavor of a simple lemonade. Bonus points if you freeze your kiwis in ice cube trays, for a flavor-booster that’ll cool down your drink.

Make an extra-bright salad.

Sliced kiwi is an easy way to add a summery zing to simple salads. Our Honey-Pecan Kiwi Salad tosses together fresh greens, toasted nuts and our favorite green fruit. Make it your own with extra-delicious mix-ins like blueberries, strawberries or dried cranberries.