Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Freezing Roma Tomatoes Can Be Fast and Easy

Freezing Roma tomatoes to be used throughout the year is so easy and very economical. The equipment necessary is very basic, you probably already have everything you need to get started. You will need:

• Large cooking pot
• A Large slotted spoon
• A Large bowl
• Freezer Bags

Step 1: Wash your ripened Roma tomatoes and remove the stems. The good news is you don't peel them yet.

Step 2: Fill your large cooking pot about half-way full with water and bring it to a boil.

Step 3: Put one layer of tomatoes into the boiling water skins and all. Let them boil until the skins start to split, 2 or 3 minutes is usually enough time.

Step 4: With your slotted spoon remove the tomatoes that have started to split and put them immediately into your large bowl with ice-cold water, this stops them from cooking any further.

Step 5: Once they are cool enough to handle, which is usually less than one minute depending on the coldness of your water, very gently peel the skins off. Lay them on a cookie sheet, or put them into a bowl to thoroughly cool.

Step 6: Measure 2 or 3 cups into your freezer bag. You can add salt now or wait until you use your tomatoes in cooking.

It is that simple, that is all there is to it!

Always remember to label the freezer bag with the contents, the amount, and the year. Our tendency is to naturally think, "Oh, I'll remember these are tomatoes." But if you are like me and have gotten the 'freezer bug', freezing every fruit and vegetable you can find, in a few months it may be difficult to discern between the green peppers and the jalapeno peppers, and that is a mistake you don't want to make. Trust me, my Denver omelet was one spicy breakfast! Learn from my mistake and label it, label it, label it!

You can also include your children by letting them label the freezer bags. Even if their writing is not perfect or they don't spell perfectly think how pleased they will feel to be included in your new endeavor. If the children are younger, it may be fun, when you pull the tomatoes out of the freezer a few months later, to see how their writing has improved! Step 4 is also a big favorite for children, fishing out the tomatoes with a slotted spoon.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley

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