Cherry tomatoes are fantastic year-round! In this guide, you’ll learn different methods of storing them and must-try recipes to use those cherry tomatoes!
Cherry tomatoes are juicy, sweet and full of flavor! They’re amazing all year round, but end of summer is their peak season. If you didn’t plant it yourself, your local farmers market probably has abundance of them!
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When/how to pick cherry tomatoes:
Different varieties have different color cherry tomatoes: red, yellow, orange. I like to choose cherry tomatoes that are almost ripened and reached its intended color.
Choose tomatoes that are firm without much cracks.
TIP: Cherry tomatoes on the vine lasts slightly longer.
Is it OK to pick green tomatoes?
If you’re picking them off the vines directly from your garden, it’s usually better to pick them when they are almost ripe. But generally, it’s ok to pick green tomatoes, they’ll ripen up in a day or two.
To ripen green tomatoes, store them in a cool place, out of direct sunlight and in a single layer.
Can you eat unripe green cherry tomatoes?
Yes, you can. But they taste tart and acidic. You can even make green tomato relish and other recipes with green cherry tomatoes.
How do you peel cherry tomatoes for sauces?
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. And prepare another bowl of ice water.
- Drop the tomatoes in boiling water for 5-20 seconds, then immediately transfer them into ice water.
- The tomatoes will then crack and peel easily.
This process is perfect when you want to make tomato sauce.
How to store cherry tomatoes:
Refrigerate vs room temperature
There’s always a raging debate on whether to refrigerate cherry tomatoes or not. Refrigerating them does result in a change in flavor and texture. And I recommend not to refrigerate tomatoes. Instead,
- keep a bowl of cherry tomatoes on the counter for snacking
- preserve the rest for cooking – keep reading for different ways to preserve cherry tomatoes.
How to preserve cherry tomatoes:
1. Freezing cherry tomatoes:
Freezing is the easiest and most efficient way to preserve cherry tomatoes.
- Wash and dry cherry tomatoes.
- Arrange them on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Freeze until solid. Then transfer into freezer bag. Ensure you remove as much air as possible, and if needed, double bag it to prevent freezer burn.
When you’re ready to use them, simply take out the portions you need and enjoy them. BONUS: Skin peels easily when tomatoes thaw!
2. Canning cherry tomatoes:
Yes, you can can cherry tomatoes. Here’s a USDA guide for canning tomatoes.
3. Roasting cherry tomatoes:
Pan-roasted cherry tomatoes make such an amazing sauce!
Must-try cherry tomato recipes:
Here’re my favorite ways to use up cherry tomatoes:
- Tomato juice – If you’re into juicing, cherry tomatoes are perfect for it!
- Pan-seared cod with cherry tomato sauce – the sauce is the BEST part!
- Pesto tortellini – the cherry tomatoes pack a punch of flavor.
- Chicken tomato pasta – I love this light and flavorful pasta.
- Ah, and this roasted tomato pizza is outrageous!!!
- Of course, salads are the best: summer couscous salad and creamy cucumber tomato salad
- Also, cherry tomatoes make seriously good tomato soup!
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