4. Can tomatoes
Pass the Cereal says when you use this canning method, “the tomatoes don’t get mushy but instead stay as fresh as when you put them in the jars.” She places cubed tomatoes in tightly sealed jars, but here’s the twist: The jars go into a cool oven (no preheating!) then set the oven to 275°F (135 C) and leave for 75 minutes. Remove and let cool on a rack. You will hear the tell-tale “pop” of the lids as the jars cool.
5. Make tomato chips
If you have a dehydrator, you probably already use it to make any number of homemade treats. Now you can add tomato chips to your arsenal. Southern Plate shares a recipe for a simple tomato chips seasoned with salt and dried basil. Tomato chips makes a flavorful and healthy alternative to potato chips. Get the full instructions here.
6. Make tomato paste
Tomato paste is a staple ingredient in anything from soups to chili. If you are a fan of the rich flavor tomato paste adds to your favorite recipes, try this method for making your own tomato paste from The Kitchn. Though the process of distilling all that flavor into a paste can seem daunting, the fruits of your labor can be jarred or stored in the freezer for up to 9 months – just in time to make your next batch.
7. Make five minute salsa
There’s nothing better tasting and easier to make than salsa! Try a simple five minute salsa. My Frugal Adventures shares her favorite basic salsa recipe that includes tomato (of course), onion, cilantro, cayenne pepper, serrano pepper, lime, salt and garlic. Put your food processor to task and in no time you’ll have fresh salsa.
