Before I begin, I need to share a tip. I was reminded via twitter by my friend Paul over at Foodcrunch of this important summer tomato rule, so if you take nothing else away but this, I’ll be happy. If you want your juicy summer tomatoes to last longer… simply rest them on the windowsill stem-side down, rather than the commonly seen stem-side up.
When I worked in my first kitchen job in New York, it was one of my regular 2 am duties at the end of service to crawl up into the attic of the old farmhouse and sort through the tomatoes and see which were good for tomato water, which were good for serving, and which were good for feeding to the 900 pound pig named Boris. We’d put them in crates so they got good circulation and it was always stem-side down. They can last up to two weeks longer this way believe it or not. I think the stem side has more strength and… fortitude. Or something like that anyway.
Here is how to can them though, when you have just too many to eat at once. I like to can them especially because in the winter you have jars and jars of August memories when the notion of a very ripe tomato seems like an impossible dream.
Canning is simple, here is what you’ll need: Ripe tomatoes, basil or bay leaf or your other favorite herb, salt, lemon juice. Mason jars are necessary too. I prefer the wide-mouth kind.
Remove the little stem end with a paring knife.
Like so!
Score the bottom with a shallow “X.”
{{{This is me waving my fist at the chipmunks}}}
But you can cut out the nasty bits and still salvage the beautiful heirloom tomato.
Next you drop the tomatoes into a pot of boiling water for 30 seconds. You can do this in batches if you have a lot of tomatoes.
Fish them out with a slotted spoon…
And drop them in an ice bath to stop them from cooking.
The skins will slip right off like a pair of stockings.
Next, you begin to press them into a mason jar and as you add more you keep pressing to help release their juices.
Add your flava here. Herbs of any kind, or even garlic cloves would be divine.
Sprinkle with salt which will help release the juices further.
Squeeze in the lemon juice to help keep the pH at a safe level. (See note in the recipe!)
Then add a lid and process them in a hot water bath if you please.
I’ve been growing heirlooms this summer, all seeds that I bought from Bill Best who I featured in “Food Heroes.” If you want to read a magical tomato story, read about Bill Best in “Food Heroes,” you can order a copy from your library or on Amazon, Barns & Noble, or your favorite Indie Bookstore.
Heirlooms are my life. I can’t get enough.
Ingredients Instructions
http://georgiapellegrini.com/2011/08/22/recipes/tomatoes-tamoto-tips/
I’d never heard about storing stalk side down but will from now on – wish I could can up all the delicious Provençal tomatoes at the market and bring them home…
Lovely, lovely tomatoes. My Mom always cans tomatoes and lots of tomato juice, one day I will learn to can.
Stem-side down…..that is such a great tip! Thank you!
I just ordered 25 pounds of “cosmetically challenged” tomatoes for canning and didn’t have a recipe yet, so this is coming at the perfect time. Thanks!
I must admit I’ve never canned before, but now I think I’ll give it a whirl! I think I *can* I think I *can* I think I *can*….
Perfect timing Georgia! Just yesterday I was trying to remember where I had read about seed saving. Your book, of course. I have just recently entered the world of canning and can’t wait to try tomatoes. Got to grow them first. Our planting season is just starting down here in Florida.
That’s fun that your planting season is just starting… Florida intrigues me : )
Thanks for the tip about laying the tomatoes stem side down, I always do the opposite! What an nice way to “preserve” summer tomatoes. I’ve been thinking about picking up a big basket from the farmer’s market. Those darn chipmunks got to my tomatoes last summer and I took a break this summer!
my very first time of planting a garden many moons ago, i wanted tomatoes and because i didn’t have a CLUE about how prolific tomatoes are . . . and i planted 25 tomato plants . . . thought i’d NEVER stop canning tomatoes: ketchup, salsa, sauce, whole tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, tomato soup and everything in between . . . so now i only plant 3 plants which mean i don’t have enough tomatoes to can . . . is there a happy medium???
Yeah, I know what you mean. We have about 25 plants right now and just to keep them standing up is a battle! It’s always such a hard balance between channeling the farmer in you and making yourself nuts : )
I just want to start spooning that right out of the jar! So fresh and delicious.
I love your book. It was very interesting and i just couldn’t put it down.
Love the step by step Georgia! I have wanted to try doing this for so long!
Gorgeous, Georgia. What a perfect post on canning tomatoes! Love it.
Wow – I need a bigger house and a canning cellar! These are such great tips, Georgia- I am so inspired!
Great tips, gorgeous tomatoes. This really took me back to days spent with my Grandma in NC canning tomatoes and peaches with basil, too. Lovely post – and adore the “…like a pair of stockings” line
I cant believe I forgot to comment!! SO sorry. I DID however, make my non-blog-reading husband read this post and tell me we MUST do this when we can this year!! Great tips and recipe girl!
What great info,., I did tomatoes too but dried! love these!
This looks wonderful! I was so inspired by this recipe that I just went out and got more jars and tomatoes (what the hornworms decided to leave me) so that I could make this. I saw in the comments about having liquid up to the top. If after pressing down the tomatoes I do not have enough liquid, do I add water, or what? I’m new to canning so am not clear on this. Thanks so much!
Perfect timing Georgia! I love your book. I have wanted to try doing this for so long!
Yum, enjoy!