The Easiest Way to Preserve Whole Tomatoes

Photo Credit: morgueFile

You just never know what you're going to learn in yoga class.

Last week I shared some of the garden bounty with a few gals and one told me her favorite way to preserve tomatoes is freezing them whole.

That seems so much simpler than canning tomatoes or making several batches of pasta sauce and chili to freeze for the winter.

So, I gave it a test run.

She said to pick, wash, bag and freeze the tomatoes whole. When you want to cook with them, run the frozen fruits under warm water to loosen the skin. Then, peel the tomatoes, chop and cook.

She likes to use them in everything from soup to sauces. And, she's right! It was super easy and my latest batch of chili turned out fabulous made with the frozen tomatoes. I was worried about a grainy texture, but the tomatoes were perfect.

So, what's your favorite way to preserve tomatoes?

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Tomatoes, Tomatoes Everywhere!

Cooking down the tomatoes. Photo by Angela Tague

The days feel like summer, evenings like fall. Welcome to October in the central Midwest.

My garden is slowly dying down and I'm in the process of figuring out what to do with all of these tomatoes! I have red, yellow and orange goodies to put to good use.

Two weeks ago I made a batch of spicy red pepper pizza sauce. Last weekend it was homemade pasta sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers and onions thrown into the mix. I also froze some peeled tomatoes for a future batch of chili or tomato soup.

How do you like to use your end-of-season garden tomatoes?

If you have any tips for making good use of the green tomatoes still on the vine, please let me know. It's to dip down into the 30s this weekend, and I don't want the tomatoes to go to waste!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Feeling a Little Pickled?

Homemade pickles! Photo by Angela Tague

These hot, rainy summer days have made my garden spiral out of control. The acorn squashes are all ripening at once. My tomato row is speckled with red and yellow orbs of deliciousness and the cukes--oh the cukes!

Over the weekend I spent a few hours creating a new pickling recipe to use up my wealth of cucumbers. The first batch I made was too tart. I love pickles, but not when they make me pucker like a blow fish.

My next batch was much better. Instead of following a recipe, I decided to wing it. I started with 2 cups of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill, 2 teaspoons of diced garlic and 1 cup of raw sugar.

Warning: Raw sugar will turn your brine a pretty/dingy/uncommon caramel color.

After a good stirring to dissolve the sugar, I gave the pickling liquid a taste. It was a touch sweet so I added maybe another 1/2 cup of white vinegar. The pickles are in the fridge now. Hopefully they will be delicious in just a few days!

Have you been making pickles too? What are your tips and tricks? And while we're at it, what should I do with my impending bumper crop of tomatoes? I'm thinking of making homemade pizza sauce to freeze for winter pizza making.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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How to Grill Tomatoes

When the hubby tosses a steak on the grill, I prepare veggie kabobs. In addition to whole button mushrooms, slices of bell pepper and chunks of red onion, I like to add tomatoes to the mix.

Fresh Tomatoes. Photo Courtesy Morguefile.

Since the fruit has a tender, thin skin I've been experimenting with various ways to grill tomatoes. When secured to a skewer they seem to grill--not char--like tomatoes placed directly on the grill.

The easiest tomatoes to add to a kabob are small salad tomatoes such as cherry, grape or pear tomatoes. Just slide them onto the skewer. If you only have large, whole tomatoes available, you can grill them kabob-style too.

Start by chopping the tomato into large chunks, at least 2 1/2 to 3-inches wide. Then, drizzle the tomato with olive oil. Don't squeeze the seeds and juice out of the chunks or they will dry out during the grilling process. Finally, wedge the chunks between two other kabob items to help secure the tender tomato.

Grill the veggie kabobs on indirect heat on an upper grill rack for three to four minutes. Rotate the skewers and grill for another three to four minutes. Then, enjoy!

Have you ever grilled tomatoes? Feel free to share your ideas, tips and tricks in the comments below.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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