A few simple tips below will help you preserve tomatoes so you can enjoy them all year. Tomatoes are a common ingredient in every family meal. Some people grow a lot of tomatoes but don’t know how to store them for long-term use. Let’s explore some effective methods.

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1. Freezing Tomatoes

Freezing tomatoes in the freezer isn’t difficult, but to keep them flavorful for a long time and save space (you probably have other foods to store too), you need some tips:

1. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly. Make a small cross-cut at the top of each tomato (near the stem) and blanch them in boiling water for quick peeling without touching the flesh.

2. Cut the tomatoes lengthwise to remove seeds, then chop into pieces and blend until smooth. Add a pinch of salt.

3. Pour the blended tomatoes into a pot, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to let the water evaporate slowly. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

4. Once the mixture thickens, let it cool, pour into ice cube trays (large cubes), and freeze for 10–12 hours. Transfer the tomato cubes into a food storage bag and return to the freezer.

• You can store these tomato cubes for 3–4 months. However, flavor and nutrition are best within the first 2 months, so try to use them soon.

• If your freezer has enough space, you can simply wash whole, unbruised tomatoes, dry them, and store them directly in bags in the freezer. When ready to use, rinse under water and the skin will peel off easily.

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2. Drying Tomatoes

Ingredients and tools:

• 2 kg of tomatoes

• A little salt

Steps:

1. Prepare the tomatoes: Wash, remove stems, and cut into wedges or slices.

2. Season with salt: Sprinkle a little salt over the tomatoes, mix gently, and let sit for about 10 minutes. If the tomatoes are too sour, add some sugar to balance the flavor.

3. Dry the tomatoes:

   • Sun-drying: Place tomatoes on a tray or bamboo mat and leave under the sun for 5–6 days until fully dry.

   • Oven-drying: Place tomatoes on a baking tray and dry at 120°C (248°F) for 5 hours.

   • You can also use a fruit dehydrator or an air fryer.

Storage:
Let the dried tomatoes cool, then store in airtight glass jars or food-safe plastic bags for later use.

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3. Preserving Tomatoes with Salt

1. Wash and drain the tomatoes.

2. Layer tomatoes in a glass jar, sprinkling salt evenly over each layer until all tomatoes are covered.

3. Seal the jar tightly and store in a cool, dry place.

• This method preserves tomatoes for up to 1 month.

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4. Storing Tomatoes in Ash

1. Place tomatoes in a cardboard box or other storage container.

2. Cover the tomatoes completely with ash.

3. Seal the container and store in a cool, dry place.

• This method can preserve tomatoes for 5–6 months.

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5. Making Tomato Sauce

Steps:

1. Prepare and boil tomatoes: Wash tomatoes, boil until cooked, peel off the skin, remove seeds, and mash the flesh.

2. Cook the sauce: Add a little salt and cook until slightly thickened. Let cool, then pour into clean, dry bottles.

3. Seal with oil: Boil a small amount of oil, let it cool, and pour a layer on top of the sauce in the bottle to seal. Close the lid tightly and store in the fridge for gradual use.

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These methods help you enjoy your homegrown tomatoes all year, maintain flavor and nutrition, and save money on store-bought produce.