Sun-ripened tomatoes are one of the delights of the summer. You can preserve their flavor and texture by freezing them. Follow these simple steps to guarantee the taste of summer all year round and to find some ideas on how to cook frozen tomatoes.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Prepare the Tomatoes
Step 1. Choose the tomatoes
Get them firm but not too hard. Avoid those that have blemishes, blemishes, or dents. You can certainly use them, but you will have to work harder to get rid of the spoiled portions.
Although it is possible to freeze any variety of tomatoes, the Roma ones are the best. They are very pulpy and contain little water, which means your sauce will be thicker and take less cooking time
Step 2. Wash the vegetables to remove soil residue
Scrub them thoroughly to make sure they are clean. Pat them dry with kitchen paper or a clean tea towel.
Step 3. Remove the stem
The area around it is mostly tough, so get rid of it. Also cut out any parts that look damaged to you.
Part 2 of 4: Freezing the Peeled Tomatoes
Step 1. Boil a large pot filled with water
Sear the tomatoes for a minute: in this way the skin will detach from the pulp and it will be easier to remove it.
Step 2. Remove the peels
Use the tip of a curved knife or kitchen knife to prick each tomato. Once a hole is made, the peel should peel off. Discard the peel.
Step 3. Put a colander inside a large container
Hold the tomatoes over the colander as you remove the seeds. This is not a critical step, but the vegetables will look better. Squeeze them lightly to release the juice. Set the pulp aside for now.
Step 4. Try to remove as much liquid as possible from the seeds in the colander and pour it into a container
You can drink it or use it in some recipes and even freeze it.
Step 5. Cut the tomato pulp into pieces of any size you like
The smaller the cubes are, the faster they will cook.
Step 6. Fill a resealable freezer bag with the tomato pieces
Try to eliminate as much air as possible by sucking it with a straw. Seal the bag tightly.
If you prefer, seal the tomatoes with a vacuum machine; you can buy it in household goods stores
Step 7. Flatten the bags as much as possible to limit their size
Store them in the freezer.
Part 3 of 4: Freezing Whole Tomatoes with Skin
Step 1. Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet
Return the pan to the freezer - this will keep their shape. Whole tomatoes do not need to be blanched before cooking.
Step 2. Remove the tomatoes from the freezer when they are frozen
Put them in sealable plastic bags trying to eliminate all the air.
Step 3. Put them under hot running water to thaw them
After remaining in the water for about a minute, the peel will detach from the pulp and it will be easier to remove it.
Part 4 of 4: Cooking with Frozen Tomatoes
Step 1. Make a tomato puree
This is the basis for many other sauces; you can also use it without sautéing after adding aromatic herbs or spices.
Step 2. Make a tomato gravy
It is an exquisite vegetarian variant to be enjoyed during the holidays.
Step 3. Make the classic tomato sauce
It is world famous and makes a simple spaghetti dish superlative, but you can also use it to make lasagna or serve it with mozzarella.
Step 4. Nothing warms the heart and stomach more than a tomato soup
A hearty soup on cold winter evenings is just what you need.
Step 5. Try homemade ketchup
Even if there are thousands of commercial varieties, the homemade one is always a guarantee.
