Ideas for using up fresh tomatoes

Sharing is caring!

The links provided in this post are for related recipes and will open in a new tab.

We have been blessed with an abundance of tomatoes the past couple of weeks. Various varieties, in various places around the property.

Late summer seems to be when we have the best crop here in our part of Tasman, New Zealand. Every morning, as I do my walk around the garden, I’ve been picking another basket of ripe, juicy fresh tomatoes.

We are now, however, getting to the stage where we are wondering what to do with “so many tomatoes.”

Ideas for using up so many tomatoes

Keeping it fresh

There’s something very satisfying about going out to your own garden and picking that perfect vine ripened tomato, taking it inside and adding it to your evening salad, sandwich for lunch or morning tomatoes on toast. But one of my favourite ways to use up tomatoes is to make fresh salsa. Served with your preference of corn chips this makes a deliciously zesty afternoon snack or light lunch. Get the recipe here.

Here’s 6 simple ideas for using uncooked, fresh, tomato…

1. In salads – tomato wedges or chunks add such great colour, nutrition and flavour.
2. In sandwiches, bread rolls or buns – the combinations are endless with a sliced tomato.
3. On toast – so good with cream cheese, avocado, salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
4. Add fresh diced tomato to homemade wraps or tacos
5. Stuffed – deeply score 3-4 pockets into a large whole tomato and stuff with your favourite cheese and herbs.
6. Homemade salsa

Cooking with fresh tomato

Tomato is one of the base ingredients to many of my main meals. Using my own homegrown tomatoes gives me peace of mind about the quality of the produce I am providing for my family. Whether it be pasta sauce, savory mince or pizza I try to source organic tomatoes. And lately it’s been such a good feeling to know that I’ve grown them myself.

Here’s 7 easy ideas for cooking with fresh tomato…

1. Pasta sauce – dice tomato, onion and fresh or dried herbs to make the base of your pasta dish, perfect for spaghetti or pasta bake.
2. Tomato Soup – using a food processor, wand or bullet blend with onion, fresh herbs, salt & pepper and cream for a delicious and easy soup.
3. Pizza toppings – add sliced tomato to your home-made pizza for that fresh, zesty flavour.
4. Grilled tomato halves – halve tomatoes and cook with a little butter over the BBQ or in a frying pan as a colourful side dish
5. Vege Kebabs/Skewers – add cherry tomato along with other veges to skewers for a great BBQ side-dish
6. Stuffed Roasted Tomato – scoop out the inside of a halved tomato and stuff with cheese, herbs, salt and pepper for another colourful side dish.
7. Savory mince – replace canned tomato with fresh, diced tomato and onion to give your nacho mince a full on savory punch.

Preserving tomatoes

Storing your homegrown tomatoes for future use doesn’t need to be a big deal. Sure, you can make relish, chutney, sauce, bottled whole or diced preserves, but for me personally my favourite way to store tomatoes for winter is to just freeze them whole.

Freezing whole tomatoes saves me a huge amount of time as it’s super simple and chances are when I want them later they are going to be cooked anyway.

How to freeze whole tomatoes…

1. Wash the tomatoes well in cold water
2. Lay tomatoes out on a tray in single layer
3. Place the tray of tomatoes in the freezer and leave overnight
4. Once frozen remove from tray and quickly place in a freezer bag
5. Return frozen tomatoes in bag to freezer to take up less space, can be stored frozen for up to 12 months
6. When needed, thaw desired amount and add to soup, stew or sauce recipes
7. Optional – a vacuum sealed bag will keep freshness up to five times longer

Enjoy!

are you on pinterest? save this post for later!