It’s always disappointing when vegetables go bad, not to mention a money waster. Whether you’re buying them from the farmer’s market, picking them up at your local supermarket or gathering them fresh from your garden, here is how to store a favorite piece of summer produce, tomatoes:
Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature. Placing them in the refrigerator will hasten the ripening process and ruin its flavor. Also, if stored with bananas, both fruits will ripen quicker. Tomatoes should be placed in a paper bag on your counter if they need to ripen faster.
Now that you know how to store them, here is a great recipe that will help you use them:
Fresh Tomato Bruschetta
This simple appetizer, bruschetta al pomodoro, is a favorite at pizzerias, since the thick slices of rustic country bread toast quickly a wood-burning oven.
4 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 tablespoons red onion, diced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra
4 leaves fresh basil, torn into small pieces
salt and freshly ground pepper
4 slices crusty Italian bread
1⁄2 garlic clove
In a small bowl, mix the tomatoes with the onions, the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the basil and season with salt and pepper. Lightly toast the bread on a grill or under the broiler and rub with the cut side of the garlic. Arrange the garlic toast on a platter, sprinkle with salt and drizzle generously with olive oil. Spoon the tomato mixture on top of each piece of toast and serve immediately. Serves 4