Storing Tomatoes

[Hoosier65]

The weather man says it's going to frost this weekend and we still have a lot of tomatoes on the vine. Anyone know of a way to store all those red and green tomatoes? Anyone had success in this endevor? :confused:

[kirkbyky]

but I probably will (its supposed to frost here too). Wrap each tomato (green or barely ripe--separate by type so you know which is which) in newspaper, etc. & store in a cool place (basements etc, not refridge) check one every few days to see how ripe. I have sooooo many small green ones that I'm gonna try to make green tomato pickle instead & use the semi ripe ones (after ripening) in sauce.

good luck!!

Kyle

[ewatkins]

I take each one and wrap it in newspaper, then put in a box in the basement (cool place, not fridge). Amazingly, if they have any pink on them, they will continue to ripen. The flavor isn't quite as good, but better than the grocery store.

[SandyM]

You can put fully green tomatoes in a window (on a rainy day even) and in a few days they will ripen.

I've actually tried this with those gross orange store-bought tomatoes, and it's quite an improvement on their original state.

[Shirley Ekstein]

I agree with most others - they ripen better if stored in a cool, dark place. If you want to bring them on quickly try putting some in a bowl with an already ripe banana or apple then covering with a sheet of kitchen paper - apparently the ripe fruit gives off some sort of gas that hastens maturity in other fruits - (whatever the reason, it works.) If you've got lots of ripe ones and plenty of freezer space you can shove them in there - they'll be fine for casseroles or tomato sauce. And green tomato chutney is delish - so - lots of options!

[Vanessa]

We might get frost this week in Maryland or at least quite cold. Usually I put my tomatoes in a BIG colander and it sits in my kitchen they ripe in several days. If only plantains would ripe as nicely....

[SusanL]

my tomatoes came and went with very little fan fare! Last year my tomatoes went crazy and I wrapped them and put them in the basement, lasted until Jan. 1st! This year they petered out by the second week in September with no green ones to wrap in the basement :( I second the wrapping in newspaper, it worked like a charm for us!

[Zinnia]

These tips are great!
I have done the brown lunch-bag on the
counter thing, to ripen my tomatoes this year and it has worked wonderfully. But- only for the ones that actually grew!
I have had every other vegetable this year in my garden overwhelm me, but my tomato crop has been disappointing. I just pulled all of my plants-the weather has been between 39- 45 degrees at night for the last 2 weeks.
Oh well, better luck next year! Advice: Make sure you DON'T plant tomatoes in the same spot you did last year. They need a new place/spot to grow in each year, and will grow better and bigger. :) Zinnia