If you grow tomatoes in your own garden or buy them fresh by the crate from the farmer, you often have more tomatoes than you can eat before they spoil. What is the best way to store tomatoes? Tomatoes can of course be canned, but many vitamins are lost in the process. The best way to preserve the nutrients and flavour of tomatoes is to freeze them in the freezer. However, you can't just put fresh tomatoes in the freezer, as they can easily lose their flavour if you don't do it properly.

What is the best way to freeze tomatoes?

 

 

• Fully ripe and firm tomatoes are best; they should be tender but not mushy.
• Wash the tomatoes briefly if there is still soil on them.
• Remove the tomato stalks with a knife.
• Bring the water to the boil in a soup pot.
• Place two or three tomatoes at a time in the hot water and remove after about half a minute.
• Immediately place the tomatoes in ice water so that they do not cook and the skin comes off easily.
• Peel the skin off the tomatoes and cut out the green centre.
• The tomatoes can be frozen whole, halved or quartered.
• Pack the tomatoes into freezer bags, squeeze out any remaining air and seal the bags tightly. Do not overfill the bag.
• The frozen tomatoes keep for about a year and are particularly suitable for soups and sauces.

Tips: Use smaller portion bags.
Do not refreeze tomatoes once defrosted.