Summer is here, and with it comes tomato season! If you love ripe, juicy tomatoes bursting with sweet, bright flavor, now is the time to enjoy them at their absolute best. The good news is you don’t have to do much to get the most flavor out of your tomatoes. Follow these simple tips to optimize texture and flavor, and learn some easy ways to prepare and preserve your summer bounty.
Selecting and Storing:
- Choose Wisely: For snacking, salads, and kids, cherry and grape tomatoes are often sweeter and pack more flavor than other varieties, especially when larger tomatoes aren’t fully ripe yet.
- Keep Them Cool, Not Cold: Don’t refrigerate your tomatoes. Cold temperatures break down their enzymes, making them mealy and flavorless. Leave them at room temperature on the counter, out of direct sunlight.
- Flip Them Over: Store tomatoes upside down (stem side down). The bottom ripens first and is softest, while the top is firmest. This position extends their shelf life.
Preparation Tips:
- Salt Early: Lightly sprinkle salt on sliced tomatoes about 5 minutes before eating or using in a recipe. This draws out moisture and intensifies flavors, just like with meat.
- Peel for Perfection: For a smoother, more elegant texture, try peeling your tomatoes. Score an X on the bottom, blanch in boiling water for 15-30 seconds, then transfer to an ice bath before easily peeling off the skin.
- Slice with Precision: Use a sharp serrated knife when slicing tomatoes to avoid squishing them. The teeth of the knife cut through the tomato skin cleanly.
- Grate for Easy Puree: Use a box grater to quickly turn whole tomatoes into pulp. Grate the bottom of the tomato first, going back and forth over the coarse blade until only the skin remains.
- Quick-Cut Cherry Tomatoes: Place cherry tomatoes between two round plastic lids, hold them together, and slice through the middle for easy, uniform cuts.
Enjoying and Preserving:
- Keep It Simple: The best way to enjoy fresh tomatoes is often the simplest. Try them raw with just a drizzle of good-quality olive oil and flaky salt.
- Roast for Richness: Roasting concentrates tomato flavors. Roast cherry tomatoes whole, or quarter larger varieties. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.
- Freeze for Later: Don’t let excess tomatoes go to waste. Freeze whole or diced tomatoes in freezer bags for use in soups, stews, and sauces during winter months.
- Grow Your Own: It’s not too late to plant tomatoes! Cherry tomatoes grow well in containers. Check with your local nursery for plant options suitable for late-season growing.
With these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to make the most of tomato season. Whether you’re enjoying them fresh off the vine or preserving them for later, these techniques will help you savor the best flavors summer has to offer. Happy tomato season!
