There are times when we crave certain flavours, fruits or vegetables. But due to their seasonal availability, we have to control our cravings. Unfortunately, not each and every farm produce can be stored, but you can for sure preserve cherry tomatoes. They have an exquisite flavour and texture which makes them suitable for every meal and occasion. During their harvesting season they are available in abundance either from farms or from your own kitchen garden. We have compiled a few very effective methods for preserving cherry tomatoes.
Freezing
Whenever we think about preserving anything the first thing that pops in our mind is freezing. We usually put things in our refrigerators so that they last long. Cherry tomatoes can also be preserved at low temperatures. First of all, remove all the stems, leaves or any other kind of debris from the tomatoes. Wash them properly and let them dry for some time on a tissue paper or cloth. After that, spread them on a baking sheet or aluminium foil in a single layer and place them in the freezer. After a few hours you can shift them to a sealed bag or container and replace it in the freezer for storage.Sun drying
It is the most ancient and natural way to conserve your surplus harvest. Put them on a stand or mesh on the rooftop and spread them evenly in the sun. In a sub-tropical country like India, we get enough sun to accomplish this in a few days. You can even sprinkle them with salt to add flavour. After 2 – 4 weeks, depending upon the weather, your tomatoes will be dried completely and you can store them in jars.Dehydrate them
If you don’t have the time and patience to follow the traditional method of sun drying, then a dehydrator will be perfect for you. 5 – 10 hours on a dehydrator and your tomatoes will be ready for storage.Become an Urban Farmer-
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Enjoy the Fruits of your Hard Work
Enjoy the Fruits of your Hard Work
Become an Urban Farmer-
Become an Urban Farmer in One Day
Enjoy the Fruits of your Hard Work
Enjoy the Fruits of your Hard Work
Pickles
We Indians love pickles in every form and it is a staple in our diet. Cherry tomatoes can be converted into a delicious form of pickles. You can add garlic or any other type of herbs, add salt or sugar along with oil to preserve it.Fermentation
Fermentation is a wonderful process which can be used for preserving cherry tomatoes too (not just grapes). Yes, the process of fermentation has more functions than producing alcohol! Shocking, isn’t it? You can use salt or any other starter culture for this process. Put all the contents in an airtight container and let it sit. Chopped or diced tomatoes will ferment faster and better. After 2 – 3 weeks your cherry tomatoes will be fermented. Transfer them into another container and they can be stored for 6 months in your refrigerator.Roasting
This could be a good option for you if you like spicy food. You can roast tiny little chilli tomatoes on a pan along with a few garlic cloves, oregano, chilli powder and salt. Store them in a mason jar with their juices. They will be good for 5-7 days. If you roast them completely and dry out their moisture, they can be stored for 5-6 months in a refrigerator.There are a million ways which I can think of in order to incorporate preserved cherry tomatoes in my meals. They can be used in soups, curries, gravies, stuffing’s, veggie scrambles, noodles, desserts etc. Preserve your surplus produce or you can even buy a bulk of cherry tomatoes from us to enjoy its flavour in different forms. This way you will have a different dish almost every time you decide to eat cherry tomatoes. List out the recipes that you want to try, gather all the required materials and start the process of preservation of tiny cherry tomatoes at your own home.
References:
Dos Reis, R.C., Devilla, I.A., Correa, P.C., de Oliveira, G.H.H. and de Castro, V.C. 2015. Postharvest conservation of cherry tomato with edible coating. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 10(11): 1164-1170.
Pobiega, K., Przybył, J.L., Żubernik, J. and Gniewosz, M. 2020. Prolonging the shelf life of cherry tomatoes by pullulan coating with ethanol extract of propolis during refrigerated storage. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 13(8): 1447-1461.
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