Tomato tarte tatin
The French tarte tatin is a refined classic, traditionally made with apples. This version with...
3 Methods to Keep Tomatoes Fresh for Longer
Whether in sauces, salads, or soups, tomatoes are true all-rounders in the kitchen. To keep them from ending up unnecessarily in the trash, it’s worth storing them properly and preserving them with a few simple methods.
Tomato sauce, bruschetta, salads, or soups — tomatoes are incredibly versatile and an essential ingredient in many kitchens. Especially during summer or harvest season, larger quantities often accumulate and cannot always be used immediately. To avoid food waste, it’s therefore important to store and preserve tomatoes correctly. To keep tomatoes fresh for as long as possible and make the most of them later on, proper storage already plays a key role. Ideally, tomatoes should be kept in a dry, airy place at room temperature. Direct sunlight and excessive cold in the refrigerator can negatively affect both their flavor and texture.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy tomatoes over a longer period of time, there are several ways to preserve them. One of the most practical methods is freezing. Tomatoes can either be frozen raw or processed into a sauce beforehand. Very ripe tomatoes are particularly well suited for this, as they usually do not stay fresh for much longer. Cooking them directly into a sauce and freezing it in portions provides a quick and convenient base for pasta, pizza, or soups at any time. Diced or pureed tomatoes can also be frozen easily and later used without any hassle.
Canning
Another popular preservation method is canning. In this process, tomatoes are heated and then filled into sterilized jars. Thanks to the airtight seal, they can be stored for several months. Pureed tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, and ready-made sauces are especially common choices for canning. Clean and careful preparation is essential to maintain both flavor and shelf life. Canned tomatoes are perfect for stocking up and can be enjoyed all year round.
Drying
Anyone who loves an especially intense tomato flavor can also dry them. During the drying process, water is slowly removed from the fruit, which significantly concentrates the aroma. This can be done either in the oven at a low temperature or with a dehydrator. Smaller varieties such as cocktail or Roma tomatoes work particularly well for drying. Dried tomatoes can later be used in salads, pasta dishes, antipasti, or spreads and will keep for a long time when stored in airtight containers.
