Here are 10 ways to use up the tomatoes from your garden.
It is that beautiful time of year when backyard gardens become chock full of bright and juicy tomatoes! It seems like overnight they can multiply by the dozens and before you know it, you have bushels of tomatoes and no idea what to do with all of them. Of course they are great sliced up on hamburgers or sliced up on salads, but did you know there are many other uses for these sweet and colorful gems? Homegrown tomatoes are inexpensive to use in a variety of dishes and their uses are vast! Take a peek below at ten uses for garden grown tomatoes you can try when you pick that next bushel!
10 Uses for Garden Grown Tomatoes:
1. Spice up your salsas.
You can chop up fresh tomatoes to add some chunk and zest to your canned or jar salsa. Or, if feeling ambitious why not make your own? Making your own salsa is as easy as chopped tomato, onion, pepper, and some simple seasonings.
Salsa Recipes:
2. Make your own sauces.
If you have a couple of canning jars, crush up your tomatoes into a sludge and press into your jars. They will keep for a long time this way and you can add the crushed mixture to your pasta sauces or just warm and serve over pasta as is. You can also replace 1 3/4 cup of diced tomatoes for a can of tomatoes in recipes.
3. Fry them up!
Batter slices of tomatoes in a wash of egg and flour (or cornmeal) and set in a pan of vegetable oil. Fry until golden and enjoy with ranch dressing!
4. Salvage seeds.
If your tomatoes are damaged or a bit soft, you can still pick the seeds out of them to use for next year. Just store in a cool and dry place until needed.
5. Freeze for soups and chili.
You can dice and freeze your tomatoes to use later in soups and chili. Just dice and store in an airtight container.
6. Bake some bruschetta!
An Italian favorite, chop some tomatoes and add some salt, pepper, basil, and olive oil. Stir and spoon over a thick bread such as Italian or French. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until crispy. Such a great appetizer!
7. Make a Caprese salad.
Another fab and frugal appetizer slice mozzarella cheese and top with a slice of tomato and basil leaf. These are so colorful and super tasty!
8. Grill them.
All you need to do is slice them, add some seasoning, and grill away! You can even top with cheese if you like.
9. Perk up pasta salad.
Any plain pasta can be turned into a BBQ friendly salad when you add some fresh tomato. Use different varieties to add color and contrast!
10. Use for décor!
Yes, use tomatoes to decorate! They look great sliced and displayed on appetizer platters, or even gathered in a bowl for a centerpiece. Because they vary in size and color, you can create all sorts of looks!
And of course, if you still find yourself up to your ears in tomatoes, offer to drop some off at your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter as they will love having fresh produce to work with. Or, you can always drop some by to a neighbor who does not have a garden. They will love you for it.
Tomato season is upon us! Take advantage of it by trying out one or all of the ideas above to help you make the most of them. With so many ways to use tomatoes, you won’t complain about ever having an overabundance again.
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Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
As my life revolves around tomatoes right now, I find this post at a perfect time! Thank you! 🙂