For ease and health crushed in the food processor with peels keeping nutrients from the skins. Tomato peels contribute a high concentration of the carotenoids found in tomatoes. The amount of carotenoids absorbed by human intestinal cells was much greater with tomato enriched with tomato peels compared to tomato without peels. The tomato skin also holds most of the flavonols (another family of phytochemicals that includes quercetin and kaempferol) as well. So to maximize the health properties of tomatoes, don't peel them if you can help it! Canned crushed tomatoes are ideal for use in soups, stews, salsas and casseroles. Basic made so you can kick it up any way at time of using. Seeds can be removed that is your choice. Home canned tomatoes, tomato juice, and diced or crushed tomatoes with liquid at the top and solids at the bottom is quite normal.