Tomatoes left in my refridgerator
How many times have your forgotten your tomatoes in your vegetable drawer? Perhaps, you are going on vacation and don’t know what to do with your unused veggies? No one like to throw away spoiled or soon to be spoiled vegetables. Talk about hard cash going down the drain.
Recently, I faced this same situation with an abundance of tomatoes and upcoming vacation. I took a cue from last year’s harvest and froze the tomatoes. Read on and add your tips too.
Tomatoes have such a short shelf life, and when they go bad, it isn’t pretty. I can’t tell you how many times I had to clean out my vegetable drawer from tomato water. This time I wasn’t going to lose those tomatoes.
Here are my two favorite spoilage buster ideas:
Just Freeze and Stuff
Put them on a cookie sheet in the freezer for 24 hours. When I make homemade just harvested tomato sauce, I freeze the tomatoes first since it is easier to take off the skins. (See how I make fresh tomato sauce with my tomato press.) Then I put them in old spaghetti containers to use when a recipe calls for canned tomatoes. When you defrost the jars, simply peel off the skins. It is really easy.
Parboil the Suckers
Getting Ready to Take the Skin off the Tomato
Alternatively, if you forgot to clean out your refrigerator in time to freeze, simply cut an “X” into the top of the tomato and put it in boiling water for a couple of minutes. Once the tomato cools, simply tear off the skin. Then add the tomatoes to glass jars. The best part is now you have “canned” tomatoes for your recipes sans the BPA! (Bisphenol A (BPA) is in the lining of many canned products.)
Remember, to reuse the skins for making vegetable stock. Be sure to read the comments on the veggie stock recipe. The suggestions were wonderful ways to enhance the stock.
Join the Conversation:
- How do you save your tomatoes from going bad?
- Is clearing out your refrigerator the pits?
- Have a handy tip on how to use up an abundance of tomatoes?
Kanelstrand says
April 13, 2012 at 7:14 amThat is a very useful idea, though I have never eve tried freezing tomatoes. The only problem is, as I see it, that you cannot use them in salad later. But when I come to think of it, letting them get spoiled wouldn’t help either, so better make use 🙂
We don’t have the best of tomatoes in Norway, so I actually never buy too much of them but in the rare occasions when they are about to spoil I turn them to tomato juice and drink up!
Anna@GreenTalk says
April 13, 2012 at 9:52 pmKanelstrand,
When you freeze them they are like tomatoes you use in dishes. I used some the other day and hands down, better than canned. I love the tomato juice idea. Do you have a favorite recipe?
Kanelstrand says
April 14, 2012 at 10:32 amAnna, it’s nothing special – just raw tomato juice with crumbled feta cheese and just a sprinkle of salt but it is delicious!
Anna@Green Talk says
April 15, 2012 at 10:34 pmKanelstrand, thanks for the recipe. The Feta make the juice sound yummy! Anna
Claudette says
April 13, 2012 at 10:37 amI never fail to place my tomatoes in the fridge every time I purchase because I love to eat it raw…
Carmen says
April 13, 2012 at 9:43 pmYup! I agree. I put tomatoes in the fridge too, to avoid spoilage. Thanks for posting.
Anna@GreenTalk says
April 13, 2012 at 9:49 pmCarmen, Whew! I thought I was the only one. Anna
Thomas says
April 13, 2012 at 10:36 pmI didn’t know you could freeze them and reuse them. Thanks Anna.
I normally only eat tomatoes when making a sauce out of them and I prefer fresh to canned. At least I will be able to store the ones I don’t use.
Barbara says
April 30, 2012 at 11:21 amI appreciate your comments on saving unused tomatoes, but one thing I wanted to share is that fresh tomatoes should NEVER be refrigerated, unless they have been cut open. Fresh tomatoes refrigerated causes them to get mushy. Any worthwhile produce store/vendor will tell you the same. I leave mine on the kitchen counter until I use them. Another thing is that tomatoes continue to acquire more nutrients after being picked and get sweeter.
Anna@GreenTalk says
April 30, 2012 at 11:30 amWhat do you do with them when they start to go soft? Do you cook them, freeze them, etc?
Hubby puts them in the refrigerator once they get very ripe. Is this a mistake? Anna
Oscar says
May 3, 2012 at 5:46 pmehm still unclear on how to remove the skin of the tomatoes. Wouldnt it be eaesier to use hot water? Here in GT we use coal heat up when doing bbq’s to cook them well. Burns it off quite good. Any ideas welcome.
Anna@Green Talk says
May 3, 2012 at 8:10 pmYou can also put them in the freezer for 24 hours skin and all. When you need to use them simply defrost and peel off the skins.
I have never used just hot water to see if the skins blister. Boiling water makes them blister so it is easier to take off the skin. Anna
mika@Retro Smeg Fridge says
May 12, 2012 at 9:54 amNever done that before but I will surely try this one out. My tomatoes are bearing fruit right now. Surely there will be more to be put in the fridge. Sometimes I saute them in olive oil with garlic and put them in a jar and put them in a refrigerator.
Mika Jones
Anna@Green Talk says
May 14, 2012 at 4:14 pmMika, let me know if my method works for you. Anna
mika says
May 16, 2012 at 12:45 pmYes, I will!
Shirley Wallace says
May 24, 2012 at 11:24 amI saute tomatoes,basil and garlic, then freeze in small baggies until ready to use .
Oscar Cifuentes says
May 24, 2012 at 11:48 amHow long do they last? Can you freeze them for say a week or so? Ive been looking into planned cooking for my weeks lunches in order to save water on washing dishes.
Anna@Green Talk says
May 24, 2012 at 12:26 pmI have had my tomatoes in glass jars for some time. Over a year.
Anna@Green Talk says
May 24, 2012 at 12:27 pmShirley, I do this too. Why buy fire roasted in a can when you can make your own! What else do you make and freeze? Anna