Tomato Preservation

Locally grown produce is in prime season and we have been exploring various ways to preserve all of this fresh goodness found at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. Here are several ways to consider keeping your tomatoes to use throughout the year.

Canning:  Canning is one of the most common ways to preserve tomatoes.  Whole-peeled tomatoes, diced tomatoes, sauce(s), tomato paste, and salsa(s), can all be canned and used throughout the year.  In order to can tomatoes, they must be cooked prior to the actual canning process.  

Freezing: This is the simplest and best emergency method to preserve tomatoes if you have the room and are running out of time, or don’t want tomatoes to go bad before you can use them.  Simply place clean, dried tomatoes in a freezer bag.  Remove as much air as possible and freeze the tomatoes.  Remove the frozen tomatoes to use as needed.  You can actually chop the tomatoes frozen and add them directly to various recipes throughout the year.  If you let them thaw slightly you can easily remove the skin if needed.

Oven Dried: Cutting the tomato depends on the type of tomatoes you are using to roast, but in brief, remove the core, seeds and juicy center.  Either halve them for smaller tomatoes or slice into thinner pieces for larger tomatoes depending on your future needs.  Place the tomatoes in a bowl and toss with a light coat of olive oil, salt, pepper and other seasonings you desire to use like basil, oregano etc.  Roast the tomato pieces on a parchment covered baking sheet for about 4 hours in a 200 degree oven.  Place the dried tomato pieces in a jar, cover with oil and keep refrigerated for up to 2 months.  These tomatoes add excellent flavor to various sauces, salads and other recipes.

However you like to enjoy your fresh tomatoes, now is prime time to grab your favorite variety, enjoy them in season and then consider preserving them to use throughout the cold weather months.  There’s nothing like farm fresh.

The Saratoga Farmer’s Market is open on Wednesdays from 3- 6 p.m. and  Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga Springs. The Monday market at Clifton Park is open from 2-5 p.m. at the Shenendehowa Methodist Church on Route 146. The Thursday Market at Milton begins Thursday, July 11th, through August 29th at the Burgess Kimball Memorial Park from 3-6 p.m. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.