Tomatoes can be bought in supermarkets all year round, but they rarely taste as fruity and sweet as sun-ripened fruits during the season. Freshly harvested specimens from the garden can be eaten raw. From the freezer they are only good for cooking.

Tomatoes can be frozen whole or sliced

Which fruits are suitable for ice-cold storage?

All fully ripe tomato fruits are suitable for freezer preservation. However, varieties with a lower moisture content, such as beefsteak tomatoes, are particularly suitable. Also pay attention to the following:

  • the tomatoes are fresh
  • they are firm but not too hard
  • Skin and flesh are undamaged

clean tomatoes

All fruit intended for the freezer must first be cleaned thoroughly with water. Then they are thoroughly dried with kitchen paper and the stem and the hard area around it are removed with a sharp knife.

First skin, then chop

You can place the fruit whole in the freezer or cut it into pieces, it's entirely up to you. In the second case, however, it makes sense to free them from the skin while they are still whole.

  1. Cut the fruit in a cross shape on the underside.
  2. Fill a large enough pot with water and add some salt.
  3. Bring the water to a boil, meanwhile prepare a large bowl of ice water.
  4. Once the water is boiling, add the tomatoes for about 30 seconds.
  5. Then put the tomato fruits in the ice water for about 30 seconds.
  6. Peel the skin off the tomatoes with a sharp knife.

Remove tomato seeds

Tomato seeds do not necessarily have to be removed. However, if you prefer to prepare tomato sauces without tomato seeds, you should consecrate them before going into the freezer. The easiest way to do this is to cut the fruit in half and scrape out the seeds and tomato liquid with a spoon.

Freeze tomato pieces

Tomato chunks take up less space in the freezer, freeze faster and thaw faster later. It is preferable to freeze them this way, unless future use will prevent them.

  • Cut fruit into pieces
  • Fill freezer bags with it
  • Squeeze out air and seal tightly

tips

Gently flatten the contents of the bag with your hand to make it easier to store the tomato pieces in the freezer.

Freeze whole tomatoes

Small tomatoes in particular can be frozen whole. They don't even need to be blanched or skinned. It is enough to clean them thoroughly. First, they are shock-frozen on a tray and then collected in suitable freezer containers.

Thaw frozen whole fruit by holding it under warm water. After about a minute, you can easily remove the skin from the tomatoes with your fingers.

Freeze cooked tomatoes

Pre-cooked tomato pieces or tomato sauce can also be frozen. They should be allowed to cool down beforehand and then frozen immediately afterwards.

durability and use

The red fruits can be stored in the freezer for a year. Thawed tomatoes are less suitable for raw consumption, however, as they become mushy due to the frost. However, they are still a useful ingredient for cooking.

Conclusion for fast readers:

  • Suitable Varieties: All tomato varieties can be frozen; beefsteak tomatoes are particularly good
  • Suitable Fruits: Fresh fruits; firm but not too hard; Skin and flesh should be undamaged
  • Clean: wash the tomatoes thoroughly; Remove stunk and hard area around it
  • Skinning: Skin tomatoes before freezing if they are going to be frozen in chunks
  • Step 1: Score the bottom of the fruit crosswise; heat water with a little salt; Prepare ice water
  • Step 2: Put tomatoes in boiling water for about 30 seconds; then quench for about 30 seconds
  • Step 3: Peel off the skin with a sharp knife; Then chop the tomatoes as desired
  • Seeds: If you want to use the tomatoes later without seeds, you can remove them before freezing
  • Instructions: Halve the tomatoes and scrape out the seeds and liquid with a spoon
  • Freeze pieces: fill freezer bags; push air out; close tightly
  • Tip: Flatten the contents of the bag to make it easier to store the tomatoes
  • Whole Tomatoes: Do not need to be blanched or skinned; Cleaning and blast freezing will do
  • Defrost: Hold the fruit under warm water for about 30 seconds and then peel off the skin
  • Cooked Tomatoes: Cooked and cooled tomato chunks and sauces can also be frozen
  • Shelf life: Tomatoes can be stored in the freezer for one year
  • Usage: Thawed tomatoes are mushy and unsuitable for raw consumption, but are a good cooking ingredient

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden