How to Freeze Tomatoes

When it comes to enjoying fresh, juicy tomatoes all year round, freezing is an unbeatable option. Despite the commonly held misconception, tomatoes freeze remarkably well, retaining their bright, summer-fresh flavor.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to freeze tomatoes to ensure you get the best out of your harvest.

Large basket full of a variety of freshly picked tomatoes.

Answer

To freeze tomatoes simply select ripe tomatoes, rinse, and blanch. Peel off the skin, place on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to airtight containers or bags for storage. Enjoy your frozen tomatoes within 8-12 months in various dishes!

Why Freeze Tomatoes?

Before we delve into the freezing process, it’s crucial to understand why freezing tomatoes is beneficial. Tomatoes have a relatively short harvest season and they tend to ripen all at once, leaving us with more tomatoes than we can consume.

Freezing allows you to preserve them for future use in sauces, soups, stews, and other dishes, where the texture of fresh tomatoes is not critical.

Nutritional Value

Freezing tomatoes can help retain their nutritional value. While the texture may change, the essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, lycopene, and antioxidants remain intact, providing you with a nutrient-dense ingredient for your meals.

Selecting Tomatoes for Freezing

Choosing the right tomatoes for freezing is vital to get the best results. Here are some tips to consider:

Variety: All types of tomatoes can be frozen. However, paste tomatoes like Roma are ideal because they have fewer seeds and less water content, resulting in better texture after thawing.
Ripeness: Choose tomatoes at their peak ripeness. They should be firm, but not hard, with vibrant color and a sweet aroma.
Quality: Avoid tomatoes with bruises, blemishes, or signs of mold as these issues can worsen during freezing and impact the quality of your preserved tomatoes.

In your journey to preserving tomatoes, it’s crucial to discern the good from the bad. If your tomatoes exhibit signs of mold, have a foul smell, or display wrinkled or shriveled skin, they’ve likely gone bad and should not be used for freezing. For a more comprehensive guide, check out our post on how to tell if tomatoes have gone bad.

Preparing Tomatoes for Freezing

Preparing your tomatoes properly can make a significant difference in the quality of your frozen tomatoes. This process involves a few simple steps.

1. Cleaning

Rinse your tomatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or residue. Then, pat them dry with a clean towel.

2. Blanching

Blanching is the process of briefly immersing vegetables in boiling water, then quickly cooling them in an ice bath. This method helps to stop enzyme actions that can cause loss of flavor, color, and texture.

3. Peeling

After blanching, the skin of the tomatoes should be easy to peel off. If you prefer, you can leave the skin on. However, keep in mind that the skin can become tough and chewy after freezing.

4. Cutting

Once the tomatoes are clean and peeled you can remove the seeds if desired and cut them how you would like. You can cut them in half, quarter, or chopped learn a few tips in this post..

Once your tomatoes are prepared, you can follow these step-by-step instructions to freeze them:

1. Arrange the Tomatoes

Place the prepared tomatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Be sure not to overlap or stack them to ensure they freeze evenly.

2. Freeze the Tomatoes

Next, put the baking sheet in the freezer. Allow the tomatoes to freeze until they become firm. This initial freezing step will prevent the tomatoes from sticking together in storage.

3. Pack the Tomatoes

After the tomatoes are frozen, quickly transfer them into airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to do this promptly to prevent the tomatoes from thawing.

4. Label and Store

Finally, use a permanent marker to label the bags or containers with the date. This will help you keep track of your frozen goods. Return the packed tomatoes to the freezer for long-term storage.

Check out our post that goes over the way to properly store tomatoes so that they can last you longer.

Tips for Successful Freezing

Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet when freezing tomatoes initially. This helps prevent the tomatoes from sticking together.
If using freezer bags, press out as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Frozen tomatoes should be used within 8-12 months for optimal flavor and texture.

Check out this recipe on how to make homemade tomato sauce using frozen tomatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Freeze Tomatoes

Yes, you can freeze tomatoes without blanching. However, blanching makes it easier to remove the skin, which can become tough and chewy after freezing.

Peeling is not necessary but is recommended. The skin of frozen tomatoes can become tough and change the texture of dishes when used.

Absolutely! You can freeze tomatoes whole, halved, quartered, or chopped. The choice depends on your personal preference and how you plan to use them later.

Conclusion

Freezing tomatoes is a simple and efficient way to extend their life and enjoy their summertime flavor all year round. It may seem daunting at first, but with these tips and tricks, you’ll find the process to be straightforward and rewarding.

So, the next time you find yourself with an abundance of ripe tomatoes, consider freezing them for future culinary adventures!