I am searching for new ways of using my tomatoes

@marguicha (214294)
Chile
February 1, 2011 7:41am CST
Of all my crops this first year of gardening for veggies, tomatoes were by far the greatest success. I have learned a lot, but I will put that into practice next year. Even with the tomatoes I learned too late that I should have placed posts and tied them to the post. But even without them, there are lots of them. I am converted to green fried tomatoes and I´m passing the knowledge. I will make some sauces to freeze and will even make a little bit of jam. I eat my bread with tomato every morning. But I´d love to learn about relishes, chutneys and other ways that will keep. Anyone of you know how to dry them? Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes!!! Share please with this gardener in need!
5 people like this
12 responses
@cbchops (61)
• United States
1 Feb 11
Drying tomoatoes is super easy. It takes a lot of time, but it's easy to do. I normally dry romas, but you can dry any kind. First decide if you want skin off or on. Either is fine. If you want the skin off drop tomatoes in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then remove them and put them right into a bowl of ice water. The skins will come off very easily. Next quarter the tomatoes and remove seeds if there are any. (Romas don't have many seeds, so I don't remove them.) Then place them on a shallow tray that has sides on it to keep juices from running off. Sprinkle them with sea salt or dried herbs (I use basil) if you wish. Finally it's time to dry them out. You can heat your oven to 150 and dry them for about 15 hours. You'll need to flip them from time to time to make sure both sides are exposed. You can also place the tray on the dash board of you car on a really hot sunny day. This way may take a bit longer. If you choose this method you should cover the tomatoes with a cheesecloth. Put them on the dash, roll up windows, and maked sure the car is in the sun. They may take a couple days this way. You tomatoes are done when they're kind of rubbery/chewy...not brittle. Hope this helps!
2 people like this
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
1 Feb 11
Do they have to be very ripe, ripe, or a little green? I´ll start today after the dentist. I´ll do it both ways. I´ll do some with basil as it´s one of the herbs I love more and it seems to "go" with tomatoes. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
3 Feb 11
I had never though I could help myself with the blender for the salsa. Although I´d fry the onion first with the garlic before adding it.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Feb 11
I've never tried green ones. They definitely shouldn't be too ripe thouggh. I wouldn't try drying them if they're mushy. Also, if the tomatoes have bruises on them I cut off the bruised parts. Good luck! You may try making salsa with your tomatoes too. I make it in the blender. I remove the skins from the tomatoes(the same way described above), add chopped onions, cilantro, and boiled jalapenos(boling them makes them a softer), and garlic salt. I use the pulse feature on the blender so that the salsa is kind of chunky.
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
3 Feb 11
Good morning, marguicha! I, too, find that the tomatoes ripen, just about the time that I am harvesting everything else, so at that time...there is a flurry of preserving to do. The only thing that I trouble myself with making at this time is salsa...the rest of the tomatoes are quartered, put on a baking sheet, and frozen! Then I put them in a food saver bag, vacuum and seal them! Later, in the fall, when time is not so rushed, I make stewed tomatoes (garlic, celery, mushroom, onions, peppers, basil and thyme...)in a huge pot, whilst simmering add 1/2 a lemon, unpeeled and a little honey & nutmeg....this makes a wonderful base sauce for all your pasta's, for putting over cabbage rolls, cooking sausages in, and I even reduce the liquids in my bread, and add a cup of this sauce, with some shredded cheese, for a delightful bread to eat with soups. Freezing them seperately, on the cookie sheet...means they don't all clump together, so you can just take out the number of pieces you need, too, for your dish of the day! I have a dehydrator, and was not as pleased with the end result as I hoped that I would be, lacking the juice, the flavour seemed somewhat diminished. I think that I will experience, again, sun-drying...I made a 3 foot x 3 foot wooden frame, used window meshing, Place all four corners, on blocks..which allowed the air to circulate, turned them a coupla times...and they were much better (you could almost taste the sun in them...LOL!) And, will do more research, but I think there are Heritage varieties more conducive to sun-drying! I do have a link to a wonderful site...for Heritage tomatoes, and probably some of the best growing advice that I have ever read, really taught this old dog some new tricks, even tho' it seems I have been growing tomatoes forever! I don't think I can post the link here....but I think you are friends with "Antiquelady" and I can send it to Jo...if you like. Take care...and Cheers!
2 people like this
• Canada
4 Feb 11
Marguicha...forgive my forgetfulness! FORGOT to mention, DO NOT blanch the tomatoes to remove the skin, before quartering...you lose FAR TOO much juice! Over-ripe ones I just cook immediately and freeze! They are very easy to peel after frozen, or the skin can just be picked out of the sauce whilst simmering! I am sending you a friend request, as I would love to share our gardening secrets, and do want to send you this link to tomatoes. I am a little fearful for my Garlic right now..(really expanded my crop last fall) as I am growing for my son, too! We spent $100.00 and got "Russian Red".."Portuguese Porcelain..and some Hungarian & Spanish, that I can't recall the name of! All in all, I put in just 3 short of 900 bulbs...BUT it is all up about 6" right now...and the past week the nights have all been below freezing! It would break my heart to lose this crop...I have mulched it all with straw in hopes of rescuing it! Full concurrence...sun-drying is a huge chore, that needs your devotion. I found the biggest problem was trying to keep the insects off them! Just two years ago....for the first time, I grew tomatillo's and am so in love with them...do you grow them? Take care...Cheers..and have a great day!
• Canada
18 Feb 11
WOW...I truly do appreciate the honor..best response! Your thoughtful discussions have me dreaming about eating that first ripe tomato! Once again, thank you!
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
3 Feb 11
I like the idea of quarteriring the tomatoes and freezing them. I will not feel guilty of letting them rot and I can use them when I need them. It is SUCH a diferent taste from the boughten ones! I don´t think I´ll do all the job of sundrying tomatoes (too little to bother) after that good idea you gave me Thanks friend!
2 people like this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
2 Feb 11
If you have no time to prepare them, why not try this: Place them as they are in plastic bags and freeze them. Then you can take them out one or two at a time and thaw them under the water tap until you can peel them - the peel falls off very easily. Then just put them into any soup or a sauce and stir - they will fall into pieces and give your food color and taste. Happy cooking..
2 people like this
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
3 Feb 11
It´s a good idea, but my problem is that I have too much time. It´s part of living alone.
1 person likes this
@flagella08 (5065)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
wow congratulations. i love tomatoes too and i have few shrubs at home.the sticks really help in making them stand firm. what i love about tomatoes are its health benefits. Tomatoes contain a lot of vitamins A and C, mostly because of beta-carotene, and these vitamins act as an anti-oxidant, working to neutralize dangerous free radicals in the blood stream. These dangerous free radicals can cause cell damage. And keep in mind, the more red the tomato, the more beta-carotene it contains. Also, remember that cooking destroys much of vitamin C, so stick with raw tomatoes for these benefits.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
19 Feb 11
I´m afraid I think first on how something tastes and much later if there are health benefits in eating it. But I grew up knowing what was a well balanced diet was so I don´t have problems. My body reminds me sometimes that I´m not as young as I was.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
1 Feb 11
Hi! I LOVE tomatoes! I wish I could have some all the time right now! I don't get them often because I don't do shopping, but I like them just the same. I have never had very many of them and when we did grow them, we only had one or two plants and I was part of a big family so they usually got used up before they had a chance to go bad. I have no suggestions on how to use them other than just eating. All I can say is eat some for me!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
1 Feb 11
I planted about 20 plants. Not all of them are giving lots of tomatoes due to my lack of experience. And as I don´t use pesticides, the tomatoes are not as beautiful as the ones at the super but a lot helthier.
2 people like this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
1 Feb 11
That is a lot of plants! I remember when we had even two or three plants we had so many tomatoes I didn't know what to do with them all! They don't need to be beautiful as long as the taste good. Thanks for sharing!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
1 Feb 11
I´m giving some to my daughters but I haven´t made tomato sauce for pasta yet. I can freeze some pots.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
3 Feb 11
I usually use tomatoes for seasoning or for adding taste. Try to search rellenong bangus. Bangus is milk fish :) At times when I grill meat, I make dip using tomato. I add soysauce, and chopped tomato with onion :D
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
1 Feb 11
you can blanch and freeze them. I have never dried tomatoes but I do dry peppers. I just string them up then when they are completely dried out, I grind them into chili powder. also, you can look at salsa. If you cook it, then you can can it!
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
1 Feb 11
The rotten ones can be used for throwing during bad performances.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
3 Feb 11
But I´m eating them before they rot. They taste too good.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 11
you can bottle them or make tomatoe juice for food storage
@JewelLong (108)
• China
2 Feb 11
i love eating tomatoes but have never dried them.i like frying tomatoes with eggs,so tasty!!!!
1 person likes this
@tkonlinevn (6105)
• Vietnam
19 Feb 11
You plant tomatoes for yourself? you don't have intend to sell them?
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
19 Feb 11
I only have a few plants. But I don´t usually sell my produce. If I have too much, I give it away. It usually pays off.
@trader22 (232)
• Jamaica
2 Feb 11
I don't have a clue. To me eating it raw after washing leaves a good taste. I like tomato juice although i don't recall using tomato sauce. By the way tomato is a fruit that a vegetable. When you learn your relishes and chutneys please share.
1 person likes this