When you’re harvesting tomatoes from your garden, there are many things you can do with them. You can eat them fresh, use them in recipes, can them, or freeze them.
Tomatoes are a great addition to many recipes. They can be used in salads, on sandwiches, in pasta dishes, or in any other dish that you like.
If you don’t want to eat them fresh, you can can them. To can tomatoes, you’ll need to wash them and cut them into small pieces. You can then pack them into jars and add hot water and vinegar. You’ll need to process the jars in a boiling water bath for a certain amount of time, depending on the size of the jar.
If you don’t want to can them, you can freeze them. To freeze tomatoes, you’ll need to wash them and chop them into small pieces. You can then place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze them.
Recipes for using tomatoes
Tomatoes are a versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are a good source of vitamin C and lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant. Here are some recipes that will help you use up all of those fresh tomatoes.
Salsa is a great way to use up fresh tomatoes. You can make it as spicy or mild as you like. Start by chopping up a few tomatoes and adding them to a bowl. Add in some onion, jalapeno pepper, garlic, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper, and mix everything together. If you want a smoother salsa, you can use a blender or food processor to chop the ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips or use it as a topping for tacos or burritos.
Another easy way to use up fresh tomatoes is to make tomato soup. Start by chopping up some tomatoes and adding them to a pot. Add in some chicken broth, onion, garlic, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend the soup until it is smooth. Serve with some croutons or grilled cheese sandwiches.
Tomatoes can also be used in salads. Start by chopping up some tomatoes and adding them to a bowl. Add in some diced cucumber, onion, and bell pepper. Add in your desired amount of dressing, and mix everything together. You can also add in some cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein. This is a great way to use up any leftover vegetables in your fridge.
Tomatoes can also be used in sauces and marinades. Start by chopping up some tomatoes and adding them to a saucepan. Add in some onion, garlic, and herbs of your choice. Season with salt and pepper, and simmer for about 15 minutes. This sauce can be used on pasta, pizza, or any other dish that you like. You can also use tomatoes to marinate chicken or steak. Simply chop up the tomatoes and mix them with some olive oil, herbs, and garlic. Season the meat with salt and pepper, and let it sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes.
Canning tomatoes
Tomatoes are a key ingredient in many dishes, but they can be expensive to buy fresh. Canning tomatoes at home is a great way to save money and have a ready supply of this versatile ingredient.
Canning tomatoes is a process that involves heating the tomatoes in a sealed jar to a temperature that destroys any harmful bacteria. This process also causes the tomatoes to burst, and the juice and pulp mixture to fill the jar. The resulting jar of tomatoes can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months.
The first step in canning tomatoes is to gather the necessary supplies. These supplies include tomatoes, canning jars, lids, rings, a pressure canner, and a jar lifter. The jars and lids should be new, and the rings can be reused.
The next step is to wash the tomatoes. Remove the stems and any blemishes or bruises. Cut the tomatoes in half or quarters, depending on the size of the tomato.
Next, pack the jars with the tomatoes. There should be about 1 inch of headspace at the top of the jar. If there is not enough headspace, the tomato juice will overflow when the jar is heated.
Once the jars are packed, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid per quart of tomatoes. This helps to preserve the color of the tomatoes.
Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp paper towel to remove any food residue. Place the lids on the jars and screw on the rings.
The next step is to heat the jars in a pressure canner. The canner should be filled with enough water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Place the jars in the canner and heat to a temperature of 240 degrees F.
Once the jars are hot, start the timer. The jars should be processed for 25 minutes.
Once the timer goes off, remove the jars from the canner and let them cool. The lids should pop as the jars cool, indicating that they have sealed.
The final step is to test the seals. Place the jars on a flat surface and press down on the center of the lid. If the lid does not move, the seal is good. If the lid pops up, the seal is not good and the jar should be refrigerated.
Canning tomatoes is a simple process that can be done at home. The end result is a jar of fresh, delicious tomatoes that can be used in recipes throughout the year.
Freezing tomatoes
Freezing tomatoes is a great way to store them for later use. When you freeze tomatoes, you can either freeze them whole or you can freeze them in pieces. If you freeze them in pieces, you can either freeze them raw or you can freeze them cooked.
To freeze tomatoes whole, first wash the tomatoes and then remove the stems. Cut the tomatoes in half and then remove the seeds. Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and freeze them for about two hours. Once the tomatoes are frozen, place them in a plastic bag and store them in the freezer.
To freeze tomatoes in pieces, first wash the tomatoes and then remove the stems. Cut the tomatoes into small pieces and then place them in a plastic bag. Freeze the tomatoes for about two hours. Once the tomatoes are frozen, place them in a plastic bag and store them in the freezer.