Forgive the stupid question, but frequently when I've seen pictures of some recipes using red potatoes, the center of the skin has been peeled away and only the ends of the potato are left covered. I'm just now reading another recipe using red potatoes and, again, I'm seeing this: Using a potato peeler, peel off a strip around the center of each potato.
Is there a reason for this? Looks only perhaps? Or does it help with the way the potato cooks or some other oddball reason?
Anyone know?