Tomatoes are known to provide a tangy flavor. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Tomatoes get red color from the lycopene present in them and are warm-season crops, and get easily rotten without proper storage.
Do you want your tomatoes to last longer and be tasty? Let’s read how you can get it.
How to buy tomatoes for your use?
- It Should be blemish and deformity free.
- It is free from tomato worm
- When gently squeezed with the fingertip, it should be firm.
- While applying pressure, it should not burst
- When you release applied pressure, no deformity should be visible.
- According to your needs, you can choose red or green tomatoes.
Storage guide: tomatoes should keep away from direct sunlight. Tomatoes give off ethylene gas, so keep them away from other vegetables and fruits. It can easily get bruised, so make sure you do not sag them one another.
- Unripe green tomatoes: You can clean them and store them at room temperature. You can wrap them in a newspaper or keep them in a wooden box. Slowly they will start to turn yellow and then red, and at this stage, they can last about 7 to 10 days in storage.
- Perfectly ripe tomatoes: Clean them with a paper towel or fabric. They can last 1-2 days at room temperature. Keep them away from direct sunlight in a well-vented bag at room temperature. Once the tomato is fully ripe, store them in a storage bag or in a container inside the fridge to keep them long-lasting.
- Overripe tomatoes: You can store them in a storage container inside the refrigerator. It will stop the ripening process and prolong shelf life. You can make puree or juice and store it.
Preservative methods to store tomatoes
Freezing: You can use this method to prevent them from getting rotten and get a juicy taste even after storing them for months.
- Wash the cut tomatoes: Rinse tomatoes and dry them with clothes or a paper towel. You can cut in a small size.
- Blanch the tomatoes: Add cut tomatoes in hot water for some seconds and then put in into the cold water to stop the cooking process. Cool the tomatoes and store them in an air-tight container or bag.
- Freeze the tomatoes: You can now store them in the freezer and use them within eighteen months.
Dehydration process: It is a preservative method to extend the shelf life of tomatoes. You can sun dry or hot air dry tomatoes, keep them in the container and enjoy cooking your favorite tomato recipe without worry.