Freezing Tomatoes Whole the Simple Way

Step 1

Prepare your perfectly ripe, blemish free whole tomatoes by simply destemming, washing and patting them dry.

Step 2

You will need a large freezer space for the baking sheet. If you don't have a large freezer with space, you could use your refrigerator freezer in a pinch using this method.

Step 3

Lay the tomatoes on a piece of level heavy cardboard with space in between.

Step 4

When they are completely frozen; Bag them in labeled freezer bags.

Step 5

If you're not able to lay the perfectly dried tomatoes flat Just bag them loosely and freeze them that way. Next day suck the air out of the bag as much as possible. This is NOT ideal. The tomatoes may stick together and get misshapen. But the food quality should be fine.

Step 6

Place perfectly ripe, blemish free, de-stemmed, washed and dried tomatoes on a large baking sheet. NOT touching each other. You can core the tomatoes if you desire but it is not necessary.

Step 7

Place the baking sheet in your chest freezer flat and level.

Step 8

After the tomatoes are frozen hard several hours later; Bag them in heavy duty zip lock freezer bags.

Step 9

Push or suck out as much air as possible. Use a paper straw if necessary)

Step 10

Label the bags with the current date.

Step 11

Store in the freezer for up to one year.

Step 12

To use the tomatoes, simply pull out as many as you need at a time and thaw them or put them frozen into your soup pot or crock pot. Use frozen whole tomatoes just like canned whole tomatoes in your recipes.

Step 13

Take the frozen tomatoes out of the freezer bag as you need them. (Reseal the bag with minimal air and stick it back in the freezer.)

Step 14

Put the frozen tomatoes either directly into your soups and stews or other whole tomato recipes skins on.

Step 15

OR put the frozen tomatoes under running warm water. The skins will release and split. Slip off the skins and use as you wish. (see video)