Where to Store Tomatoes Until Ready to Use?

I have a metal bakers rack thing in one corner of my kitchen. I have a basket for bananas, one for tomatoes, peaches, avacadoes or anything else that needs to be out. Under that part is two shelves where I have plastic bins for potatoes, onions and garlic. You should store things separatly, especially onion, they can make your potatoes rotten faster.

I used to store tomatoes in the fridge until I heard that they last longer unrefrigerated (and I concur)...so now I do leave mine "on the counter"...but not literally. They are in a basket that gets "air circulation." And don't place other veggies in the same basket if you go that route. Otherwise, I'm curious what other's replies will be.

Hi J.---I just store mine on the counter until ready to use. I have a big bowl I keep fruit and veggies in on that counter.

A little trick I learned with cherry tomatoes. I sometimes don't get to them right away and then they start to dry up/out, much like a raisin. Since they weren't rotting, my daughter used them in a pasta recipe. She cooked the whole wheat pasta, then in another pan she sauteed some garlic along with the shriveled cherry tomatoes. Heated those up just until they started to pop/break open and then she put spinach in the pan to wilt. Stir it in the cooked pasta and it is wonderful. You could use all kinds of veggies in there, using cut up broccoli as well. So don't throw those away. Because the tomatoes are slightly dehydrated, the flavors are intensified. It was a fun discovery.

Enjoy those tomatoes. Just eat them up and you won't have to worry about left-overs and what to do with them.

In health, D.
www.dianeshealthed.com

Hi, J.

A great way to store tomatoes: Cut the toe of a stocking, knot it, drop a tomato in, tie a knot above the tomato, drop another tomato in, knot it above again and keep adding the tomatoes one at a time, knotting above each. When you've added the last tomato, knot and hang in your kitchen or pantry. When you want a tomato, cut from the bottom (or untie the knot and remove the tomato. It absolutely works! The tomatoes aren't bruised by laying on a surface, air is circulating around them and they keep wonderfully. Try it. After you've used all the tomatoes in the stocking (if you haven't cut the hose up), wash/dry the stocking and start over.

A.

on the counter in front of the window. Because if there not ripe they will rippne there with the sun on them. or the fridge I like mine cold

You're right. Refrigerating tomatoes makes them mushy and tasteless! I have a 3-tier hanging basket I use for onions, bananas and tomatoes. Anything that will allow air around most sides works.

pantry. unless they have been cut. then its the fridge. definitely will change taste texture to put into the fridge. makes them 'mealy"

Tomatoes shouldn't be stored cold. Counter top is the best place. There are a lot of cute fruit/vegetable bowls out there. Just remember that they will ripen as they sit, so you shouldn't store them anyplace for very long. If you want to eat them later in the week and only shop once, buy firmer more green/whiter ones.

I never refrigerate my tomatoes. I usually put them on my window sill or in a bowl on the counter. They ripen and they're so juicy that way :)

I have a pretty, stainless-steel basket on my counter. I've also used a windowsill if they're not totally ripe. They will ripen in a paper bag if they're too green. They're pretty sitting out.

I was raised by a farmer, we always were taught to keep tomatoes on the counter or in the window sill. If they were ripe enough already we would place upside down. Why? I don't know for sure -But, if it isn't broke don't fix it, right?
PS most fruits & veggies will ripen faster if placed in a paper bag.
Good Luck