Freezing raw tomatoes

[whamby2]

Have any of you put raw tomatoes in the freezer with skin on? I put 4 quarts in my freezer today in this fashion and am wondering what kind of luck you have had..I know they will only work for soups, stews, and things like that. How long will they keep and do they develop a funny taste over a brief period of time?:happy_flower

 

[Kim_NC]

I do that every year when swamped wth too many tomatoes. We use them up within 6 - 8 months and it works fine, taste holds well.

When you thaw them, the skins slide off easily. I prefer to remove the skins when they're about half thawed. At that point they're still firm enough to work with easily. Once fully thawed they're soft and more messy.

 

[lesa]

I love freezing tomatoes before canning! Thanks for the tip Patwithchickens! You don't have to do any blanching- the skins come right off. It allows you to do your canning when you feel like it- instead of when the tomatoes are ready. Also, good for gathering enough tomatoes, if they don't ripen together. When I get lazy toward the end of the season, I throw cherries in the freezer and add them to soup, etc. You will surely find a use for yours!

 

[journey11]

Freezing is so much easier than canning. I use them for soups and stews, etc. I love that you don't have to peel them first. It is so much quicker when you are at that point where you're about to lose your mind with tomatoes coming out your ears!

 

[whamby2]

Thank ya'll very much! I feel much better about it and there's many more tomatoes in my garden to ripen... Still getting a wee bit of okra but the eggplant gave it up last week. When these Texas nights started getting cool, it just quit. Already looking forward to spring and winter's not even here yet!:rainbow-sun

 

[ducks4you]

Still getting a wee bit of okra... Already looking forward to spring and winter's not even here yet!:rainbow-sun

Don't give up on your okra. I'm in zone 6, with lows now in the 50's, and I'm still getting okra. You should prune them this weekend. Here's how:
How to Harvest Okra | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/how_2156654_harvest-okra.html#ixzz0uFrGP8EU

They will send out "limbs" from the side, like a tree, and start flowering for you in about a week. Then, they'll continue to produce until the frost. Some of mine didn't even need the pruning--they sent out their own sideshoots. MY problem with okra this year has been not getting them harvested soon enough. I've had to create "a place where tough okra goes to it's final destination" pile.

 

[whamby2]

Thanks! I read the ehow article and will prune my plants this weekend!