There are several ways to store your fresh tomato for the best way to get the most out of them. One of the most important things you need to realize about tomato growing is that they are not all ready to ripen at the same time. Simply put, your tomatoes won’t ripen unless they’re in a warm environment. While a countertop might speed up ripening, simply placing a bowl of water on your countertop will halt (and in many cases reverse) the ripening process. So which is the best way to store tomatoes?
- The absolute best way to store tomatoes is in your refrigerator. Leaving them out will result in wilted, damaged food and you’ll have to start all over again. Store your food in your refrigerator at room temperature, but don’t leave it there too long. If you can, place the food in the refrigerator overnight and then in the morning take it out to re-ripen.
- The best way to store tomatoes is by keeping them at their optimum ripeness – just below or just above ripe. When you’re ready to pick the fruit, it’s best if you purchase them just slightly below the peak of their ripeness. You should do this about one to two days before you intend to use the fruit. At that point, it’s safe to pick them and cut them into pieces. This will prevent spoilage, keep them from getting overcooked and will also help preserve the flavor of the tomato. However, if you pick the fruit too soon, it won’t be quite ripe enough; thus, you run the risk of losing quality when you decide to remove it from the refrigerator.
- The best way to store tomatoes at room temperature is in a sealed container. A wire basket or wire rack with a tight-fitting lid, such as a wire serving bowl, is an excellent storage container. Make sure that the lid has air seals so that your produce stays fresh for up to a month.
- There are two ways to cook and store tomatoes: inside or outside of the box. To prepare the tomato sauce, simply place the unripe tomatoes on a cutting board and slice them until they’re about half an inch thin. Place the sliced tomatoes on a plate, covered with a plastic bag, and then wrap the bag with a paper towel. Place the plastic bag over the tomatoes and refrigerate until you are ready to use them. To cook the tomato sauce, put the tomatoes directly in a hot oven, ensuring that they reach room temperature before placing them on the heat.
You’ll know that the tomatoes are fresh when they’re plump up and ready to be used. The best way to store tomatoes isn’t always the best way to eat them. Once frozen, they can be reheated in the microwave or oven, but they’re not as crisp as they were originally when picked out that morning. Learning how to best store tomatoes means you get the most out of the tomatoes you purchase. Whether you want to store unripe ones, canned or fresh, make sure you follow these steps to help ensure the freshness of your produce.