By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
I don’t find out about you, however tomato season isn’t lengthy sufficient for me! Nothing compares to the flavour of a recent, native tomato, ideally simply picked and nonetheless heat from the solar. I reluctantly purchase an occasional tomato within the winter and am reminded, as soon as once more, how these don’t have the style or texture of summer time tomatoes.
So, I settle for surplus tomatoes from pals with gardens and, on the farmers market, purchase extra tomatoes than I may presumably eat. When that glut of tomatoes occurs, I’ve 2 tried and true options for simply preserving summer time’s tomatoes.
Straightforward resolution Number one: Lower and freeze
Provides wanted: Reducing board, knife, freezer containers, measuring cup or kitchen scale (non-obligatory)
Wash ripe tomatoes. Take away the core, reduce into small items, place in freezer container and freeze till you want tomatoes. In the event you freeze 14 ounce parts (a scant 2 cups or use a scale), you possibly can simply use a thawed portion the identical manner you’d use a 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes. I don’t thoughts tomato pores and skin or seeds in my dishes but when that’s a priority, you possibly can put tomatoes in boiling water for one minute, switch them to an ice bathtub, after which simply take away the tomato pores and skin together with your fingers. Lower the peeled tomatoes in half and scoop out the seeds with clear fingers or a spoon after which reduce into items for freezing.
Straightforward resolution Quantity 2: Oven roast and freeze
Provides wanted: Reducing board, knife, baking sheet, immersion blender or meals processor, freezer containers
Wash ripe tomatoes, core, and reduce them in half. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, place a clove of garlic in every tomato half, drizzle with just a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and/or pepper to style. Bake at 225 levels till they’re very gentle. This might take a number of hours or longer. As soon as the tomatoes have baked and cooled, you possibly can put them, the garlic, and any juices left after roasting in a bowl and purée right into a sauce with an immersion blender. Alternatively, put roasted tomatoes, garlic, and any juices right into a meals processor and pulse right into a chunky sauce. Freeze in containers of your selection. When thawed, the sauce may be served over pasta or used as the bottom for a soup or sauce.
I ought to word that I haven’t tried canning tomatoes. It’s easier, for my part, to freeze them. If canning is one thing you wish to strive, you should definitely comply with correct procedures together with guaranteeing secure acidity by including bottled lemon juice or citric acid. USDA’s Full Information to House Canning is a dependable reference for canning tomatoes.
For extra tomato concepts see:
What To Do With All These Tomatoes
Fast and Straightforward Dishes That includes Recent Tomatoes
