One of the greatest joys of summer is a vine-ripened, homegrown tomato. However, their season is relatively short, and when it’s over, it’s over… unless you preserve them. Preserving tomatoes allows you to savour their fresh, homegrown flavor all year round. This article will walk you through several popular methods of preserving tomatoes.
Canning Tomatoes
Canning is a time-honoured method of preserving tomatoes. The process involves placing tomatoes in jars with a bit of lemon juice to ensure acidity, then heat-processing them in a water bath canner to kill off any bacteria, yeast, or molds. This method preserves the tomatoes’ fresh taste and nutritional value and makes them shelf-stable for up to a year or more.
Making Tomato Sauce or Paste
Transforming your tomatoes into sauce or paste can be a more space-efficient way to preserve them, and it’s always handy to have these ingredients on hand for cooking. Both processes involve simmering the tomatoes until they’re reduced and concentrated. Then, the sauce or paste can be canned, or alternatively, frozen.
Drying Tomatoes
Drying tomatoes intensifies their flavour and makes them easy to store. The process can be done in a food dehydrator, an oven on low heat, or even in the sun in very hot, dry climates. Once dried, tomatoes can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, or they can be rehydrated for use in cooking.
Freezing Tomatoes
Freezing is perhaps the simplest way to preserve tomatoes. They can be frozen whole, sliced, chopped, or puréed. Although freezing alters the texture of tomatoes, making them unsuitable for salads or sandwiches, they are still excellent for cooking.
Pickling Tomatoes
Pickling is another method of preserving tomatoes, especially smaller varieties like cherry or grape tomatoes. The tomatoes are packed into jars with herbs, spices, and a vinegar-based brine, then processed in a boiling water bath canner.
Making Tomato Salsa
Tomato salsa is a flavorful way to preserve tomatoes. Combine chopped tomatoes with onions, peppers, herbs, spices, and vinegar, then can the salsa using a water bath canning process.
Preserving tomatoes is an excellent way to extend the life of your harvest and enjoy the fruits of your labour year-round. From canning to drying, each method offers a unique way to savour the homegrown taste of tomatoes in different forms. So, don’t let your tomato abundance go to waste – preserve them and enjoy your homegrown tomatoes any time of the year! Happy preserving!