Fresh commodity peeling system and method

An automated device for separating a peel from a flesh of a substantially elliptical commodity, the commodity in a nonspecific orientation, the device comprising:

• means for simultaneously making a circumferential score in a commodity to form two peel sectors;
• means for gripping the peel sectors in a first position wherein the peel sectors are substantially in contact with the flesh;
• and
• a thruster movable between an upper position wherein a bottom surface is positioned adjacent the first intersection point and a lower position wherein the gripping means grip the peel sectors and open to a second position wherein the peel sectors are substantially separated from the flesh, the thruster bottom surface having a substantially concave orientation in the upper position for conforming to a shape of the commodity and having a substantially convex orientation in the lower position for gripping the peel sectors and for releasing the flesh from the peel sectors.