Some Tips to Help You Store Tomatoes for Year-Round Consumption

Tomatoes are a common ingredient in family meals. Some people grow a lot of tomatoes but are unsure how to store them for long-term use. Let’s explore some tips.

Storing Tomatoes in the Refrigerator

Storing tomatoes in the refrigerator is an effective way, but you need to know how to keep them fresh and flavorful for a long time while saving space (since there are many other foods to store). Here are the steps:

Wash the tomatoes, then make a cross-shaped incision on the skin at the top of the tomato (opposite the stem). After that, blanch them in boiling water to peel off the skin quickly without affecting the flesh.

Cut the tomatoes along their length to remove the seeds, then slice them and put them in a blender, adding a pinch of salt.

Blend the tomatoes and pour them into a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat so the water evaporates. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

When the mixture thickens, turn off the heat and let it cool. Once cooled, shape the mixture into large cubes and freeze them. After about 10-12 hours, remove the tomato cubes from the freezer, store them in a food bag, and keep them in the freezer for later use.

You can store these frozen tomato cubes for 3-4 months. However, for optimal taste and nutritional value, it's best to use them within the first two months.

Alternatively, if your refrigerator has plenty of space, you can simply choose whole, unblemished tomatoes, wash them, and store them as they are. This way, the tomatoes will freeze naturally, and when you’re ready to use them, just rinse them under water, and the skin will peel off easily.

Storing Tomatoes by Drying

Ingredients and Tools

• 2 kg of tomatoes

• A little salt

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Prepare the Tomatoes

Once the tomatoes are washed clean, remove the stems and cut them into wedges (4-6 parts). You can also slice them into rounds if preferred.

Step 2: Season the Tomatoes

Put the tomatoes in a bowl with a pinch of salt, then gently mix them and let them marinate for about 10 minutes so the flavor absorbs evenly.

Note: If the tomatoes are too sour, you can adjust the taste by adding some sugar.

Step 3: Dry the Tomatoes

There are two methods to dry tomatoes: sun-drying and oven-drying.

• Sun-drying: Place the tomatoes on a bamboo tray or a rack and let them dry in the sun for about 5-6 days until they are completely dried.

• Oven-drying: Place the tomatoes on a baking tray and dry them in the oven at 120°C for 5 hours.

In addition to these two methods, you can also use a food dehydrator or an air fryer.

Storage

After drying, let the tomatoes cool, then store them in a plastic bag or a glass jar for future use.

Storing Tomatoes with Salt

After washing and draining the tomatoes, layer them in a glass jar.

For each layer of tomatoes, sprinkle a layer of salt to cover the surface completely. Repeat this process until all the tomatoes are stored.

Seal the jar and keep it in a cool, dry place. This method allows you to store tomatoes for up to a month.

Storing Tomatoes by Burying Them in Ashes

Place the tomatoes in a cardboard box or other suitable container, then cover them with ash until the tomatoes are completely submerged. Seal the box and keep it in a cool, dry place. This method can preserve tomatoes for 5-6 months.

Storing Tomatoes by Making Tomato Sauce

Step 1: Prepare and Boil the Tomatoes

To store tomatoes longer, wash them, then boil them in a pot. After boiling, remove the tomatoes and let them cool. Peel off the skin, remove the seeds, and crush the flesh.

Add a pinch of salt to the crushed tomatoes and continue to cook until the sauce thickens. Let it cool, then store the sauce in a clean bottle. After that, heat a little oil, let it cool, and pour a layer of oil on top of the sauce before sealing the bottle. Store the bottle in the refrigerator and use it as needed.