tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post1516808930636022402..comments2024-01-29T19:01:45.027-06:00Comments on In My Kitchen Garden: Preserving the Harvest: How to Freeze Tomatoes the Really Easy Way (And Why I Don't Do Much Canning Anymore)Farmgirl Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851855517852917202noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-91941464707865074732014-10-13T11:08:18.365-05:002014-10-13T11:08:18.365-05:00No = just chuck them in whole, in plastic bags. To...No = just chuck them in whole, in plastic bags. Tomato seeds are MEANT to be eaten.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-53809872119982676292014-06-19T12:30:24.515-05:002014-06-19T12:30:24.515-05:00When freezing the tomatoes whole, do I need to des...When freezing the tomatoes whole, do I need to deseed them before using in sauces, etc.?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-84612186736898097112013-08-25T07:11:14.872-05:002013-08-25T07:11:14.872-05:00Don't be afraid to freeze your tomatoes after ...Don't be afraid to freeze your tomatoes after cutting. I have had an overabundance of tomatoes each year since I started growing them about 5 years ago. Every year I slice them up, freeze them on a cookie sheet, then bag them. In fact we ended up buying an extra freezer that year! So go ahead, cut them up. The only suggestion I'd make is to weigh them before freezing. I always bag 2lbs at a time because that's the weight that most of my recipes call for or have been adjusted for. Most importantly, enjoy!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-83677902112011054132013-08-17T09:42:52.456-05:002013-08-17T09:42:52.456-05:00I'm trying to freeze tomatoes and then seal th...I'm trying to freeze tomatoes and then seal them in FoodSaver vacuum bags. Of course, I have to freeze the tomatoes first so they're not crushed during the vacuum process. My question: if there are bad parts on the tomato, is it safe to cut them out and then freeze the tomatoes with the parts cut out of them before the vacuum process?Raci570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-51313558169826878612013-04-24T20:16:54.624-05:002013-04-24T20:16:54.624-05:00my mother used to can for 7 kids so oo till blue i...my mother used to can for 7 kids so oo till blue in the face. She cooked the apples and let half the juice run off. this she saves and made jelly with. the rest of the apples are now more concentrated so the apple butter is thicker like jam. She must have made about a 100 pints each year. When we sold her big house the basememt was still full of jars. Oh we , her kids had already taken what we thought we could use.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-27736927377847638712012-10-27T10:31:28.718-05:002012-10-27T10:31:28.718-05:00I didnt realize I could have just froze my tomatoe...I didnt realize I could have just froze my tomatoes... it would have saved quiet a few of my tomatoes, oh well, I know for next season! this was my first year, and boy did I learn alot!! mandy418https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303492399407801969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-8480121415809859922012-10-27T10:29:53.803-05:002012-10-27T10:29:53.803-05:00Next year plant some marigolds next to your beans....Next year plant some marigolds next to your beans... this was my first garden year, and someone gave me this tip. It worked wonderfully, I had rabbits in my garden, caught them several times, and they never messed with my beans!!!mandy418https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303492399407801969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-60412998064867284122012-10-22T11:51:55.663-05:002012-10-22T11:51:55.663-05:00Try making Baba Ganoush from eggplant (eggplant hu...Try making Baba Ganoush from eggplant (eggplant hummus). I'm not a huge fan of eggplant either, but Baba Ganoush is a very tasty treat with crackers and easily frozen in small batches. Simply stick it in the refrigerator the night before a party for defrosting, and serve the next day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-87175657110069376252012-10-16T17:25:59.767-05:002012-10-16T17:25:59.767-05:00I have frozen eggplant with good success. I peel,...I have frozen eggplant with good success. I peel, then slice then dry outside in the sun for about 4 hours, until the surface feels dry, but if you hold it in your palm for 60 seconds it starts to feel damp. There's no need to salt it to bring out the liquid. Freeze on a cookie sheet in a single layer, then pop in a freezer zip lock. Don't over dry, or it tastes kind of rubbery (but still quite edible). I've used it for eggplant paramasian and moussaka. FarmerPhylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-23885500430543052912012-09-23T08:18:50.870-05:002012-09-23T08:18:50.870-05:00Geesh, this is right up my alley. I grow most of ...Geesh, this is right up my alley. I grow most of my own veg on a very small, extremely messy plot. And laziness in my middle name. After my very first season, I blanched and froze tons of stuff from my garden. What a mess! And how ridiculously work intensive. Thanks to the internet, I learned that you don't have to indulge in this ordeal for most leafy veg - just wash it and throw it into a freezer bag. When used in December, the texture is actually far superior to the blanched mush that you would get otherwise. Supposedly you should only keep it this way for 6 months. Pah, I have done it for a year, and am still alive to write about it.<br />By the way, if you have loads of apples and don't know what to do with them, just throw them into the freezer. When defrosted, the texture is quite like baked apples, and is great in winter fruit salads. inisfadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-73426846259303836762012-09-02T18:30:39.562-05:002012-09-02T18:30:39.562-05:00Wow! Just browsing looking at what to do with toma...Wow! Just browsing looking at what to do with tomatoes, and thank you for the freezer tip, by the way, but YEA! I have lost my supplier of seeds for Tyfon. Thank you! :)iamgabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17432495726921627689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-73755638729143005132012-07-24T00:15:59.678-05:002012-07-24T00:15:59.678-05:00This sounds luscious, think I may try some tonite,...This sounds luscious, think I may try some tonite, as I was looking for different things to do with ALL these tomatoes in my kitchen... thanks'Chellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14752600463246544277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-77804856024462006012012-06-14T12:58:20.423-05:002012-06-14T12:58:20.423-05:00Can't wait for my tomatoes to start turning re...Can't wait for my tomatoes to start turning red so I can start freezing again. I've done this in the past and it's the only way to go! I can my salsas and sauces in the cooler fall weather, along with making my jellies. Now I'm learning more about freezing other vegetables, such as summer squash, green beans, okra, etc. Making pickles is so simple I make them when I get enough little cucumbers. It may be just one pint jar, but I keep the vinegar mix in the fridge and just heat it as I need it. I love summer and all its wonderful bounties! I just picked a basketful of wild blackberries this morning. They are so beautiful in the early morning sun and I'll get to enjoy them all over again in the Fall when making jelly. For now though, a fresh blackberry cobbler sounds awfully good!Nondusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-35693791666442102272011-11-02T12:54:44.696-05:002011-11-02T12:54:44.696-05:00What a great sight to learn about tomatoes. Enjoy...What a great sight to learn about tomatoes. Enjoyed it so much. Just got a big bag full of green tomatoes and did not know what to do with them besides frying them. Thanks a bunch!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-23180075236494028842011-10-02T10:47:07.135-05:002011-10-02T10:47:07.135-05:00Thank you all for the info. I grew four kinds of ...Thank you all for the info. I grew four kinds of tomatoes this year. The black one is awesome. But this year, there is a newer one called a current tomato. It's about the size of a,well, a current or blueberry. Our growing season is coming to an end in here in my area and there are a ton of them. I didn't know I could freeze them, but canning them would be more than I could do and they are so small I'd only get a few jars. I've used them to toss in soups and stews and they were great, so I'm glad to hear that I can just freeze them. I also like to toss them in to Chinese food. I grow eight ball and one ball zucchini and the ones we can't eat, we just grate them and freeze for soups and stews as well. But thanks for all the good info about other vegies too. I sure hate wasting them and can't always can everything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-20553071049684904152011-09-02T17:30:02.671-05:002011-09-02T17:30:02.671-05:00So many ideas. My head is spinning! But I'm g...So many ideas. My head is spinning! But I'm glad to hear that there are other options besides canning. It's such a huge undertaking. I'm going to the farmer market tomorrow to get some roma's, roast them with the skins on, olive oil, garlic and fresh or dried herbs, bag in my food saver flattened and freeze. I'll be so glad I did once the Jan/Feb winds are blowing and I don't want to hit the grocery store. So many uses: pasta, soups, stews, pizza, braised meat dishes. Wow!! Can't wait to get to the farm market tomorrow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-46952813388833368492011-08-27T18:12:57.168-05:002011-08-27T18:12:57.168-05:00I now roast my tomatoes for canning. I cut them in...I now roast my tomatoes for canning. I cut them in half - all sizes from large to grape size - place on a roasting pan (like a broil pan base - lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with S&P, dried herb seasoning, drizzle with olive oil - and sometimes with balsamic vinegar - roast in oven at at least 350 for at least 30 min. I then dump the tomatoes into a blender or food processor - turns into delicious sauce for eating or canning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-6438413716385280782011-07-26T08:54:55.210-05:002011-07-26T08:54:55.210-05:00OMG. My first year with the kitchen garden and I a...OMG. My first year with the kitchen garden and I admit canning felt like a LOT of pressure! Now I know that if I can't get it all done, I have an out. Thank you for a great post and some breathing room. :) Great tips. I will be returning often.Cat Archambaulthttp://www.homesteadcanada.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-6922562887747181042011-07-24T10:57:46.659-05:002011-07-24T10:57:46.659-05:00I have a zillion large tomatoes on my counter rt. ...I have a zillion large tomatoes on my counter rt. now. Was planning on piercing, dunking in boiling water, cooling and freezing whole, but you all have given me ideas for easier ways. However, I need advice--do you think the microwave method wld work for lg tomatoes? Re roasting-are you just splitting them open, adding the oil, etc., and roasting? Cool, squish up,bag, and freeze? Thanks, everybody! igAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-75838230191178368832011-04-12T00:48:21.826-05:002011-04-12T00:48:21.826-05:00I cut my toms up straight from the garden after, w...I cut my toms up straight from the garden after, washing and drying,put usable amounts in bags,and flattern before putting in the freezer,this way they take up very little space,great for adding to beans,stew's,etc.perfect for making a winter soup.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-4639503677973490592011-02-11T03:25:37.306-06:002011-02-11T03:25:37.306-06:00I'm sorry if this has already been put up but ...I'm sorry if this has already been put up but I could'nt read all the comments! A greek lady I met said that she preserves plums (no not toms but what the hey...) by putting them in a bowl with maybe a little water and then putting them in a microwave until just soft and then freezing! Nice and easy lemon squeezyGrace McCallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17000025325846516566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-8751518460524513912010-09-13T08:25:08.623-05:002010-09-13T08:25:08.623-05:00We also had a lack of freezer space, only what in ...We also had a lack of freezer space, only what in the kitchen unit. We bought a small stand alone and it works great! It was only $125 so the investment was minimal and more than pays for itself in the food you can store... and NOT have to buy over the winter. If you think of the cost of blueberries alone..!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04372339457023591252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-44906005502382738822010-09-01T05:56:22.050-05:002010-09-01T05:56:22.050-05:00Garden bounty is a true blessing. I usually turn m...Garden bounty is a true blessing. I usually turn my eggplant, garlic, onions and tomatoes into eggplant parmigiana (i don't grow cheese yet) and freeze them in 13x9 pyrex. I do have an extra freezer just for the garden surplus. Eggplant Parm done right is very time consuming so Ive been freezing my tomatoes and also berries for 10 years. Ive actually used 3 year old frozen raspberries and blueberries for making jam and then canned these and kept them an additional year. Ive noticed NO difference. <br /><br />Ive done the same with tomatoes for sauce and other dishes. Other than my tomatoes usually having more water and being less ripe than store bought canned tomatoes, a little extra cooking and more tomatoes takes care of that.Mr Momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-75534108117400340282009-09-20T11:44:15.002-05:002009-09-20T11:44:15.002-05:00I just found your site! It's wonderful! I used...I just found your site! It's wonderful! I used to can when I was young and eager, but over the years I've fallen to what's easiest. This summer ('09) our tomatoes in parts of the Midwest are just plain awful, no taste, big blight problem, etc., etc. Am drying out the few I have in the oven with olive oil, s&p, and will jar and save with my Food Saver and refrigerate. Hope it works, Farm Girl!!!<br /><br />Judy in WIAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21318605.post-71799108867702668012009-09-11T15:15:17.727-05:002009-09-11T15:15:17.727-05:00In Seattle you never know when a freak windstorm, ...In Seattle you never know when a freak windstorm, or like last year and the year before, snow/ice storm will happen(go figure for us eh) so freezing isnt always trustworthy, as you tend to loose your freezer contents so I still can. My freezer space is limited, and after putting up jar after jar of tomato sauce, I'm so thrilled. I can sauce, pepporchinis, jalepanos, applesauce, blueberry/blackberry/raspberry/peach jams, beets and maybe late crop tomato salsa as we're having more tomatoes than ever before with the great weather we've had.charlie girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09298384390301358593noreply@blogger.com