From sauces to salads, tomatoes enrich any dish. Before cooking or eating them, however, they must be cut. Cutting them into slices is an easy technique to master. Once you have learned this, you can use others, such as dicing tomatoes or wedges. If they are small in size, as happens in the case of datterini or cherry tomatoes, you can help yourself with two lids to cut them all at once. Just remember to wash them before you start cutting them.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Slice a Tomato
Step 1. Remove the tomato core with a kitchen knife
Place the tomato on a cutting board with the core facing upwards. Score a circle about 1.5-3cm deep around the core. Remove it by pulling it outwards or picking it up with a spoon.
The tomato core lever is a kind of spoon with sharp points. If you have this tool on hand, use it to gently create a hollow under the core to remove it
Step 2. Lay the tomato on its side
The part from which you removed the core should be facing left or right. This will help you get even slices when cutting the tomato.
Step 3. Hold the tomato still with your fingers folded in
This will help you avoid accidentally cutting yourself during the procedure. Hold it on the end you removed the core from. As you cut, the flat, blunt edge of the knife should barely touch the knuckle of your middle finger.
Step 4. Cut the tomato with a serrated knife
Start on the opposite side of the core. Cut it about 6mm away from the edge to get the first slice.
The tomato can be cut with any sharp knife, but the serrated ones prevent the juice from escaping
Step 5. Try to get slices of the same thickness
Determine the width of the slices according to your preferences. The important thing is to make sure to keep more or less the same size as you cut the tomato.
As you slice the tomato, move your fingers back slightly to keep them away from the knife
Method 2 of 4: Dice a Tomato
Step 1. Remove the core with a kitchen knife
Make an incision around the core creating a circle, then remove it with the help of a spoon. You can also use a tomato core lever.
Step 2. Cut the tomato into slices
The thickness of the slices will affect that of the cubes. Larger slices will give you larger cubes, while thinner slices will give you smaller cubes. Continue cutting until the whole tomato is sliced.
Step 3. Stack 2 or 3 slices at a time
You will need to cut them together. If they are particularly thin, you can stack several before cutting. You should get 2 or 3 stacks of slices.
Step 4. Cut the stacks into strips with a serrated knife
Make sure you cut all the slices in the stack. You can start from any direction you want, the important thing is to cut all the strips in the same direction.
Step 5. Shred the strips
Cut the strips at a 90 ° angle to make cubes. Continue until you have diced all the strips in the stack.
Step 6. Repeat with the remaining stacks
After the first one, proceed with the others. Once you have finished cutting the tomatoes, you can add them to the dish you are preparing.
Method 3 of 4: Cut a Tomato into Wedges
Step 1. Remove the core
If you have decided to cut the tomatoes into wedges, it is not necessary to remove them completely. Remove the stem with your fingers if it is present.
Step 2. Cut the tomato in half with a butcher's knife or a sharp-edged serrated knife
Make the cut in the exact center of the core (or where the stem used to be).
Step 3. Cut each half to get 4 wedges in total
Place each half on the cutting board with the cut side facing down. Make a cut in the center of each half. This way you will get 4 wedges in total.
Step 4. Cut the 4 wedges in half
At this point you should have 8 tomato wedges. If you want them to be even smaller, cut the 8 wedges in half. You can repeat this procedure until you get the size you want.
Method 4 of 4: Cut the Datterini or Ciliegini
Step 1. Look for 2 plastic lids or plates of the same size
Lids can be taken from plastic containers, large yogurt pots, or packs of butter. If you use dishes, try to find 2 floors, while avoiding the deep ones.
Step 2. Place the tomatoes between the lids or plates
Spread the tomatoes sideways on a lid or plate. You can use as many cherry tomatoes as you can fit. But try to create a single layer. Once aligned, place the other lid or plate on top of them.
Step 3. Using one hand, press and hold the surface of the lid or top plate steadily
Apply light pressure. You need to keep the tomatoes from moving, but don't crush them at the same time.
Step 4. Cut the cherry tomatoes between the lids or plates with a serrated knife
Cut the tomatoes sideways by moving the knife back and forth, as if using a saw. Go slowly and always hold the lid or top plate with one hand. Once you reach the other end, the tomatoes will be ready and you can proceed with the preparation of the recipe.
Advice
- Sharp knives are more effective for cutting tomatoes than those that have a blunt blade.
- Before cutting the tomatoes, keep them at room temperature to preserve their flavor.
