How to store tomatoes at home?

In banks

Storing tomatoes in a glass jar is one of the most common methods. To do this, ripe fruits are laid in a container, but not tamped, and then poured with sunflower oil.

Vegetables should be completely submerged in oil. Then close the jar and put it in a dark box.

The same effect is provided by rubbing alcohol. It is necessary to place fresh vegetables in sterile containers, pour alcohol there in the amount of two tablespoons. Next, you need to shake the container well so that the liquid moistens all the fruits.

Lower the wick to the tomatoes and set it on fire. During the burning of the alcohol base, you need to quickly close the cans with lids. A complex procedure helps to eliminate air from the container. This method keeps vegetables fresh for up to three months.

These are the main ways to store tomatoes at home, in an apartment. Everyone chooses a more convenient one.

Ways of ripening tomatoes at home

From the methods suggested in the table, you can choose any that is most suitable. It is in your conditions

Three main ways to ripen tomatoes
In a stack
Suitable for large plantations. Bushes cut to the root are stacked so that the tops are located towards the center. The height of the stack should not exceed sixty centimeters, it is recommended to insulate it with straw mats, the maintained temperature should not be less than 15 C. The stack is checked every two days.
On the bushes
this method requires a large warm room where you need to hang the dug out bushes. It is necessary to place the roots upwards so that the nutrients go to the top, thereby provoking the activation of reddening of the tomatoes. If it is not possible to hang, the bushes can be dug in the room, systematically moistening the root.
Traditional
after picking tomatoes, they are put in baskets or boxes in several layers

It is important to consider where to put the tomatoes to ripen, as too cold or damp room can ruin the harvest. In order to prevent this from happening, it is better to put the fruits sprinkled with sawdust and laid in boxes in a dark, warm place

To prevent tomatoes from starting to rot, it is important to systematically check them and remove those that turn red.

For a small farm, the traditional method is quite suitable. The method of activating ripening on piles and bushes is recommended for large harvest volumes.

Warmth and light

Leaving harvested tomatoes to ripen before they turn red at home is important to create a favorable environment. Tomatoes of technical ripeness, which have not yet acquired a red hue, ripen more actively in warmth and with good lighting

The best way is to spread the fruits on a warmed windowsill, where natural light gets throughout the day.

It is not recommended to leave vegetables of different ripeness for ripening in one place. The best result is achieved if the crop is sorted in advance.

In order for the vegetables to retain their high taste and juiciness during the ripening process, it is necessary to ensure the presence of ethylene gas. The substance is actively secreted by all ripe fruits and vegetables. To increase the concentration of ethylene next to the vegetables left for ripening, it is recommended:

• put several fully ripe specimens to the tomatoes;
• add ripe apples or bananas to the harvest;
• cover the unripe fruit with a cloth.

Optimal storage conditions

Tomatoes can be left in the apartment or placed in the basement

In any case, it is important to adhere to the key storage conditions.

Temperature

It is important that the temperature regime does not exceed +22 degrees. Sun-dried tomatoes are best kept cool.

The temperature should be + 8-16 degrees. At higher rates, there is an active multiplication of bacteria, which leads to rapid damage to the workpiece.

Humidity

Humidity parameters should be moderate - at the level of 15-70%. Too dry air causes the pulp to dry out quickly, and too humid air leads to rotting.

Illumination

Sun-dried tomatoes should not be exposed to direct sunlight. The most suitable place for storage is considered to be a dark cabinet, drawer or shelf.

Pest control

To protect tomatoes from parasites, it is worth adding dried garlic or onions to the preparation. These ingredients help prevent mold growth.

How to preserve fully ripe tomatoes

It is possible to increase the shelf life of ripe tomatoes. There are several ways that you can prolong the freshness of the fruit for a long time.

How to store tomatoes in the refrigerator

Each tomato must be wrapped in clean paper. Place the tomatoes in the herb compartment. However, it is worth noting that this method will result in a loss of fruit flavor. The temperature set in the refrigerator provokes a rapid breakdown of sugars, acids and substances that give the nightshade a rich aroma and taste.

Canned tomatoes

You can store tomatoes in glass containers without preservation. This method will protect the taste of the fruit. Banks can be placed in the basement or any other cool, unlit place.

To preserve the tomatoes, you need to prepare a solution - use 125 g of salt and 125 ml of 9% vinegar for 1 liter of water. These ingredients will protect tomatoes from spoilage by acting as a preservative. Put the fruits in jars and pour the solution.

Mustard method

Mustard allows tomatoes to be stored in a jar for 3-5 months. You will need glass jars with a volume of 1.5-3 liters, whole and unripe tomatoes and mustard powder. The fruits are thoroughly washed and wiped from moisture, the jars are washed and sterilized. One container will need 6-7 tbsp. mustard.

The order of laying tomatoes:

1. At the bottom of the container, put 2 tbsp. l. mustard.
2. Lay out a layer of tomatoes.
3. Sprinkle fruits with 1 tbsp. mustard powder.
4. Alternate layers of tomato and mustard; mustard powder should be the last layer.
5. After filling the jar completely, roll it up with a sterile tin lid.

Method with rubbing alcohol

Place clean tomatoes in a jar without squeezing them. After the jar is full, pour 3 tablespoons into it. medical alcohol, tightly close the nylon cap. Then you need to twist the container in your hands so that the alcohol can spread evenly throughout the entire jar.

After that, the lid will need to be removed and a wick soaked in alcohol should be placed in the jar. Light the wick, and while it burns, you need to have time to roll up the can with a tin lid. This trick will allow all the oxygen inside the jar to burn out, which will protect against bacterial growth.

Tomatoes in a saucepan

Tomatoes can also be stored in an enamel or ceramic pot. You can preserve the freshness of the fruit for a long time with the help of an vinegar-salt solution or oil. The fruits are placed in a saucepan and covered with refined oil

An important condition is that the oil must cover the top layer of tomatoes by at least 1 cm

How to store tomatoes in trays and boxes

Fresh tomatoes are not suitable for long-term storage in trays. The fruits very quickly begin to deteriorate, so they can stay in such a container for several days at most. Often, ripe tomatoes are placed in a box to make them turn red faster. In this case, care must be taken to ensure that the container has a sufficient number of air holes.

How to store sun-dried tomatoes

Sun-dried fruits can be packed in cotton bags and stored in a kitchen cabinet. You can also put them in the refrigerator. In this case, the tomatoes are placed in a plastic container, into which olive oil is poured, then covered with a lid and placed in the refrigerator.

It is important to consider that with this storage method, tomatoes will lose their bright color.

Conditions for ripening and storing green tomatoes

For the best result in preserving tomatoes, certain conditions must be observed. Consider detailed instructions on where and how to keep tomatoes, as well as unusual ways and tips for preserving the harvest.

Where to store harvested unripe tomatoes

For quick ripening, the best place is a dark and warm room with a moderate level of humidity. It must be well ventilated. The optimum temperature is +… + 25 ° C, the higher it is, the faster the tomatoes will ripen.

There are several options for storage:

1. Small boxes are covered with paper (not newspaper), tomatoes are laid out in a maximum of 3 layers. Each next layer is also overlaid with paper. Instead of paper, you can sprinkle the fruit with straw or sawdust.
2. Previously, unripe tomatoes were stored in felt boots. This is also a valid option, but you will have to sort them out every 2-3 days, tracking ripe ones and or starting to deteriorate.
3. Storage in banks. Banks are first sterilized, 2 tbsp are poured into the bottom. l. dry mustard. Unripe tomatoes are laid out in layers. Each layer is also sprinkled with mustard. Roll up with a metal lid. They put the jars in storage in a dark, cool place: a basement or cellar is perfect. Tomatoes will remain fresh for up to 4-5 months.
4. In a small apartment, you can spread a cloth under the bed and sprinkle unripe tomato berries on it, covering them with another cloth.

We speed up the process of ripening tomatoes

Consider the most popular and effective ways to speed up the process of ripening tomatoes:

1. Ethylene gas has been scientifically proven to ripen tomatoes (and many other vegetables). The fruits themselves also produce this gas. To increase its concentration, the fruits are covered with a cloth or straw.
2. Bright sunlight and high temperatures will help the tomatoes ripen faster.
3. In any place where the crop is stored, place 1-2 already ripe red fruits or a ripe banana. Thus, the "ripening enzymes" will spread among the unripe fruit faster.
4. If you need the tomatoes to ripen urgently, you can resort to this unusual method - inject each tomato with vodka (0.5 cm³) in the area of ​​the stalk. The concentration of ethylene will increase and the reddening process will accelerate several times. It is not safe to give these tomatoes to children.

How to keep tomatoes fresh until winter

You can enjoy the taste and aroma of fresh vegetables even at the New Year's table. To do this, follow a few simple rules.

First, sort the fruits carefully. Any sign of spoilage, dents, stains, mold is a reason to use the fruit for processing. Tomatoes must be dry, without skin damage. When stored in boxes, sorting is carried out 1 time in 3-4 days.

The humidity in the storage place should be high - from 80-85%, and the temperature should not be higher than 7-10 ° С. In dry air, tomatoes become flabby faster and lose their flavor.

A small amount of unripe tomatoes can be kept in the refrigerator. And for making soups or pizza toppings, ripe tomatoes are cut into thin circles, put in bags and frozen in the freezer. So you can use these vegetables fresh until the next harvest.

How to store ripe tomatoes

Store ripe tomatoes in one of the following ways:

fresh;

The best option for keeping vegetables in an apartment will be a glazed balcony / loggia. We spread the vegetables on a flat surface in one layer and cover them with a thick cloth on top, which will cover them from direct sunlight.

On a note!
Ripe tomatoes are stored at room temperature for no more than 5 days.

in boxes;

Before putting vegetables in them for storage, we disinfect the boxes with an alcohol solution and dry them well. Cover the bottom with clean paper, no printed text. Additionally, we wrap each vegetable in it and put it down next from the stalk. Sprinkle each layer with sawdust or peat.We check the condition of the fruits on a weekly basis.

in straw;

We wrap the tomatoes that were harvested at the stage of milk ripeness in black paper and put them in a box with holes. In this case, we shift the layers with straw. We put the box in a dark, cool place with good ventilation, where the temperature is 10 ° C. Such vegetables can be stored until January.

in fridge;

In the refrigerator, keep tomatoes in a special compartment for vegetables for up to 10 days. We spread them in 1-2 rows, with the stem down. When storing on a refrigerator shelf, it is recommended to put them in a plastic bag.

in jars, a saucepan;

Ripe fruits can also be kept in containers. Cut them into large pieces and put them in a jar / pan in a layer 10 cm high. Next, fill them with salt and spread the next layer. We continue until the dishes are full. Store in the refrigerator.

conservation;

We store canned tomatoes in a jar for up to 12 months. Since even if the jar has been standing upright all the time, the acid from the brine can react with the metal in the lid and harmful compounds will be preserved. Keep in a dark place at room temperature.

We store sun-dried tomatoes in cotton bags or in a plastic container. To do this, put them in a container and fill them with olive oil. Store in the refrigerator.

dried.

We also store dried tomatoes in cotton bags or in glass jars, which we sterilize and dry beforehand. Put various spices and salt on the bottom of the jar, and then put the vegetables and fill with sunflower oil until it completely covers the contents. Next, tighten the neck with plastic wrap and close it with a plastic lid.

Dried tomatoes can also be kept in various containers at a temperature of + 1-10 ° C, after covering the bottom with paper. Additionally, these tomatoes can be kept in the refrigerator.

How to collect and prepare tomatoes for storage

Observe the following guidelines to reduce the risk of product spoilage:

• remove tomatoes from the bushes until the night temperature drops below 8 degrees (fruits affected by frost lie worse);
• harvest in the afternoon, after the dew disappears;
• pre-sort by degree of maturity, size, varieties (large ones will ripen faster than small ones);
• put aside wrinkled, damaged, weak specimens;
• refuse to store tomatoes with traces of late blight and other diseases, they can ruin the entire crop nearby;
• lay only completely dry tomatoes, preliminary washing is not required;
• before storing, wipe the tomatoes with alcohol or vodka, dry thoroughly (this will help to destroy microbes on the surface, extend the shelf life of products);
• the film of gelatin will not allow deterioration, it is obtained by dipping each vegetable in a 0.4% solution.

How to store tomatoes correctly

Different storage conditions are suitable for fresh, unripe, dried and other varieties of tomatoes.

Mature

The optimum temperature for ripe tomatoes is 4-6 degrees Celsius. You can put ripe vegetables in the refrigerator or in drawers. It is recommended to use the crop for fresh consumption or processing within a few weeks after harvest.

Red fruits

It is recommended to store red tomatoes in shallow boxes, stacked with stalks upward in 2-3 rows. Between the rows, you need to pour sawdust and cover the containers with a thin plastic wrap, which is capable of letting in fresh air. They contain red tomatoes at a temperature of 1-2 degrees for no more than a couple of months.

Brown tomatoes

The brown variety of tomatoes is placed in wooden boxes of 10-12 kg each. To prevent the fruits from touching each other, they can be wrapped in thin paper. The boxes are covered with a lid and kept at a temperature of no more than 6 degrees.

Dairy and green vegetables

In order for milk tomatoes to ripen, it is necessary to leave them in a room with a temperature ranging from 15 to 20 degrees. At higher temperatures, vegetables will not produce coloring matter and will taste less juicy. Periodically, it is worth inspecting the crop and selecting ripening specimens.

Storing processed tomatoes for the winter

Processed vegetables can also be stored during the winter.

Taking into account the processing method, it is important to observe the peculiarities of the storage conditions.

Dried products

It is recommended to keep ready-made sun-dried tomatoes in tight cotton bags. You can also preserve taste and freshness by using a food container with a sealed lid as a container. When placing sun-dried vegetables in a container, you must first pour olive oil into it. The container is placed in the refrigerator or freezer, but it should be borne in mind that when defrosting, the vegetables will lose their original color.

Dried tomatoes

Dried fruits can, by analogy with dried fruits, be packed in cotton bags or placed in sterilized glass jars. If desired, add garlic, pepper, salt and other spices to the container. Then vegetable oil is poured into the jar and the neck is covered with plastic wrap and a sealed lid.

Canned tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are kept at room temperature in a dark place or in a pantry. The maximum shelf life is 12 months. If the term is violated, an oxidative reaction may begin, and the crop will lose its taste characteristics.

Can tomatoes be stored in the refrigerator

In the refrigerator, tomatoes are stored in a special vegetable compartment.

Scientists have proven that storing ripe tomatoes in the refrigerator worsens their taste. Green tomatoes will never ripen on the refrigerator shelf, and ripe ones will become tasteless.

If there is an urgent need to store tomatoes in a refrigerator, you can, but not more than a week (up to 8-12 days). To do this, you must follow a number of rules:

• Store in the dedicated compartment (zone). At temperatures not lower than + 5–8 ° C, heat-loving crops get frostbite and quickly deteriorate.
• Do not seal or tie in airtight plastic bags.
• Store separately from other vegetables and fruits.

Tomatoes should be taken out of the refrigerator 12-24 hours before consumption and allowed to warm up at room temperature, then the lost aroma will be partially restored, and the taste will improve.

Preparing a large crop for storage

To successfully store tomatoes at home, you need to properly prepare them:

Storing tomatoes, like other vegetables, starts with brute force. Ripe and overripe ones are put into food or processing in the first place, but pinkish, brown, whitened and green ones can wait.
Therefore, it is necessary to categorize vegetables by maturity and size.

This is important because different optimum temperatures are recommended for red and green fruits, and large tomatoes tend to ripen faster than small ones.
It makes sense to store only dense, truly fresh tomatoes. Even one slightly spoiled one can damage the entire volume of stocks.

For the same reason, stocks must be periodically inspected, removing spoiled ones from the total mass.
Vegetables will last for a long time if they are stacked completely dry and with stalks.
A weak gelatin solution or the thinnest waxy layer helps to keep tomatoes fresh. Each fruit is treated with this "protection", which then needs to be slightly dried.
Vegetables will be stored longer if they are treated with potassium permanganate or boric acid solution (0.3%).
Sorted, processed vegetables can be put into storage containers.

Ripe tomatoes are best consumed first.

What you need to keep fresh tomatoes for a long time

The shelf life of tomatoes depends on many factors. They are all equally important.

1. Correct collection

The first step to a successful and long-term storage of tomatoes is to pick the fruit correctly. You need to remove tomatoes from bushes on a dry day. You can start harvesting after no dew drops remain on the fruits.

Do not delay harvesting until the cold weather. Temperatures below 4-5 ° С have a detrimental effect on green and dairy ripened tomatoes: they lose the ability to ripen outside the bushes.

It has been proven that tomatoes lose moisture through the stalk. American chef Jay Kenji Lopez Alt conducted an interesting experiment. He divided tomatoes into two groups. At one, the place of attachment of the stalk was sealed with tape, and at the other, I left it open. And what do you think? Scotch tomatoes continued to remain juicy, while their counterparts lost moisture. To avoid this, store the tomatoes with the stalk down.

2. Preparation for storage

To keep tomatoes as long as possible, follow these guidelines:

Select only absolutely healthy fruits for storage. They must be free of dents, stains, scratches, cracks, etc. All of these external flaws are actually not so harmless. They can act as gateways for infections. And one diseased tomato is a threat to the entire crop.
Fleshy tomatoes with a thick skin, which have medium-late and late ripening periods, are better suited for long-term maturation.

Of the varieties, pay attention to Long Keeper, De Barao, Giraffe, New Year, etc.
Sort tomatoes by ripeness: ripe, brown, milky (white), green. All of them differ from each other in terms of ripening, and hence in storage time.

Never store overripe tomatoes.
Separate large fruits from small ones. As it turns out, size also affects the ripening time. Small tomatoes take longer to reach maturity and therefore have a longer shelf life. Best of all, according to the observations of experts, fruits weighing about 60 g are stored.
Don't put ripe tomatoes next to those you want to keep. The fact is that such fruits emit ethylene, which accelerates the ripening process of the nearby tomatoes. For the same reason, by the way, the neighborhood with some fruits, for example, apples and pears, is undesirable.

3. Optimal storage conditions

If you want to store tomatoes at home for a long time, create the right conditions for them.

Tomatoes are very sensitive to humidity and temperature, so pay special attention to these characteristics.

The moisture requirements for all tomatoes are the same: it should be in the range of 85-90%. If the moisture level is lower, the tomatoes will begin to dry, and more will rot. But the storage temperature for fruits of different degrees of ripeness will be different.

On the balcony

When there is no basement or cellar, and the amount of the crop harvested in the current year does not allow storing it in the refrigerator, some gardeners use the balcony. The main thing is that the temperature on the apartment loggia does not fall below 5 ° C and is not understood above 12 ° C.

Storage rules on the balcony:

• a wooden box is selected under the bookmark, the bottom is lined with paper or cotton cloth;
• vegetables are folded in 1 row, when laying in several rows, paper or cotton fabric is laid between them.

When storing vegetables on the balcony, do not use polyethylene. Fruit boxes can be stacked on top of each other.

Storage in cellars and basements

Tomatoes are stacked in layers in a wooden or plastic container, sprinkled with chopped wood or paper. If there are not many tomatoes, it is better to wrap each tomato in paper. After the boxes are sent to the cellars or basements. The temperature in the basement should correspond to the standards for storing fruits of a certain degree of ripeness.

Tomatoes are placed in containers made of cardboard or wood in no more than 3 layers.Otherwise, the fruits located at the very bottom will deform under the weight of the upper layers.

You need to check the condition of the crop at least 1 time per week. Then it will be possible to notice in time if any fruit starts to deteriorate. In this case, you should immediately isolate it from the rest of the crop.

Other storage methods

• Freezing. quick-frozen fresh ripe tomatoes can be stored for three to four months. At the same time, defrosted vegetables stored in the freezer are great for preparing salads and other dishes.
• Vacuum. The fruits are placed in sterilized jars and poured with two tablespoons of alcohol. The jars need to be rotated so that the alcohol gets on more fruits. In the next step, a wick is lowered into the container and ignited. After a while, the alcohol will start to burn, and this is the best moment to roll up the can. The oxygen in it will burn, and the tomatoes will be in a vacuum. You can also use a special device to create a vacuum. They can hold out in a vacuum for about three months.
• Mustard. In sterilized three-liter jars, pour a thick layer of mustard powder on the bottom. Put a layer of tomatoes on top, storage will be successful if you place them with the stalks on top. Sprinkle them thickly with mustard, then lay out the next layer. The final layer should again be mustard. Banks are rolled up and stored. This method will help to extend the life of the crop as much as provided by the keeping quality of the selected variety.
• Acetic salt solution. Put the washed tomatoes in a bowl and cover with a mixture of vinegar, water and salt (8: 1: 1);
• Vegetable oil. Fill the tomatoes with vegetable oil (the vegetables should be covered with oil on top by one centimeter).
• Salt. Sliced ​​vegetables are placed in a container in an 8-10 cm layer, a little sprinkled with salt, whole fruits are placed on top of them, which are also salted. So until the container is full.

Simple drawers are ideal for storing vegetables

To summarize

1. Tomatoes are stored longer in dried and frozen form.
2. Pull the stalks off the tomatoes so as not to damage each other.
3. Put tomatoes in boxes in 3-4 layers, no more. Otherwise, the tomatoes will wrinkle and quickly deteriorate.

Tomatoes are plants, without which it is difficult to imagine our life. At the same time, you can keep the harvest at home for a long time. The main thing is to comply with the storage conditions, then everything will work out.

Test yourself: how to properly store tomatoes at home?

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