How do I preserve a tomato's freshness after it is cut?
I've seen and read online, and experienced firsthand, that refrigerating a tomato is an awful idea. Not only does it lose freshness, it does little to prevent wilting and leads to flavorless tomato.
But, eventually a tomato needs to be cut if it's going to be used in slices (for say, a sandwich), and I hate to throw it out when there's still a full half of the fruit left.
How can I preserve the tomato after it has been cut, without putting it in a refrigerator and spoiling the freshness?
Best Answer
I peel and seed the leftovers, freeze them, and use them the next time I make tomato sauce or marinara.
Pictures about "How do I preserve a tomato's freshness after it is cut?"
How do you store a tomato that has been cut?
To store a cut tomato, cover the cut side with plastic wrap, pulling it taut over the cut side and wrapping it loosely around the uncut sides of the tomato. Put the tomato cut side down on a small plate; it'll keep at room temperature for up to two days.How do you store a half cut tomato?
Store large tomato halves cut-side down on a paper towel inside a storage container and use within two days. The tomato will taste best if you can remove it from the fridge even 30 minutes before eating to bring it back to room temperature. Diced tomatoes should also be stored in a storage container in the fridge.How do you store Cut grape tomatoes?
Cut product should not be discolored or have off odors. Store ripe cherry or grape tomatoes ideally at 45 to 60 \xb0F with a relative humidity of 95%. Under these conditions, tomatoes will be acceptable for up to 10 days. Tomatoes stored at refrigeration temperatures below 41 \xb0F will have approximate shelf life of 5 days.Can you preserve sliced tomatoes?
Put slices on a cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours. Remove slices and put them into freezer bags or containers. OR slice tomatoes into at least 1/2-inch slices. Package in a rigid airtight container and fast freeze.How To Store Tomato For Long Time | Store Tomatoes For Months | How to Store tomato in freeze
More answers regarding how do I preserve a tomato's freshness after it is cut?
Answer 2
Doing a bit of Googling, it seems that there are a couple of different methods but I think the one that will please you best is to:
- put a piece of plastic wrap on the cut side only
- place it cut side down on a plate or plastic container
- leave it on the counter
Some recommend putting it in the fridge regardless, as the cut side is prone to bacterial infection.
I would probably recommend using it within 24 hours, though. Maybe add it to a salad at dinner?
Personally, I just eat the rest of the tomato along with the rest of my lunch sandwich.
Source: Fine Cooking Among others. There was a good deal of consensus on this issue.
Answer 3
I think your best option may be to vacuum seal the leftover tomato and refrigerate it. I think everyone has run across the dilemma of what to do with the leftover piece and, while it doesn't happen often, it does happen. (For me, it usually happens when I make a sandwich for lunch and only use a slice or two.)
Being frustrated so many times at having saved the tomato in the fridge and then throwing it away when I took it out, on a whim I tried the vacuum sealer and saved it in the refrigerator. After two days when I took the tomato out to use, it was virtually unchanged, almost like I had just cut it.
I haven't tried any long term storage, just 2 - 3 days max. Best solution I've found so far.
Answer 4
My Dad has a tomato storage container. It reminds me of chicken shaped roll baskets, or toaster covers that look like a forest cottage. It's a red plastic tomato that you twist apart and you put the cut tomato inside and place it in the fridge. Tomatoes placed in it actually stay fresh longer.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.