Store a Sliced Tomato

Is it possible to keep fresh a tomato that has been sliced into for just a little longer? Yes! Provided you follow these steps, you will find that the tomato can be used again within the next 24 hours. But beware, this does not involve a refrigerator if you want to retain its taste and texture...

Steps

1. Cover the cut side of the tomato only. Do not cover the entire tomato. Use a just enough to cover from a sheet of kitchen foil, or some plastic food wrap.
2. Place the tomato, cut side down, onto a flat plate.
3. Put to one side on the kitchen bench. Although you may be tempted to place it in the refrigerator, doing so will destroy the flavour enzymes and cause the tomato to break down and become mealy in texture.
4. Consume the cut tomato within 24 hours. If your kitchen is exceptionally hot, it would be best to consume the tomato at the next meal. You may need to cover the tomato to keep flies or other insects off as well.

Tips

• Always cut a tomato using a clean knife so that no germs are transferred to the tomato from meat or egg products in the kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• Tomato
• Knife
• Kitchen foil or kitchen wrap
• Flat plate
• Bench space

Related Articles

• Make a Tomato Sandwich
• Ripen Green Tomatoes
• Make a Quick Dish of Spaghetti and Tomato Sauce
• Quickly Peel a Tomato
• Make Broiled Tomatoes

Sources and Citations

• Adapted from advice given by Dennis Kihlstadius, technical consultant to the California Tomato Commission and the Florida Tomato Committee in Taunton's Fine Cooking, November 2004, Issue No. 67, p 24

See also

• Choose the Right Food for You
• Stockpile Food
• Select Unbroken Eggs at the Store
• Select Broccoli
• Store Seafood
• Buy Peas in the Pod
• Select Great Tasting Celery and Lettuce
• Vacuum Seal
• Choose the Best Farmer's Market Produce
• Tell if a Pineapple Is Ripe

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