Use an Overripe Tomato
An overripe tomato is a deep red color, and they are often very soft in texture. They can have spots on them that are beginning to discolor, or the skin may even have split. Tomatoes can over-ripen when they're left for too long on the vine, or they sit on your counter or the supermarket shelves for too long. A tomato that is too ripe may no longer be good for salads or sandwiches, but they certainly are not only fit for discarding. Here's how to use an overripe tomato.
Steps
- Freeze for later use.
- In order to freeze overripe tomatoes, first cut away any bad or leaking spots, then wash the tomato. Dry the tomato and then put it in a freezer-safe plastic bag. You can add the tomatoes to the bag as they become overripe.
- Once you've accumulated 8 to 10 tomatoes, you can use them to make your favorite tomato sauce. Alternatively, single tomatoes can be added to enrich a store-bought sauce. Allow the tomato to thaw, remove the loose skin, dice it and add it to your sauce.
- Make tomato soup.
- Tomato soup is, for many, the quintessential comfort food soup. It is enjoyed all year round, and overripe tomatoes are suitable. Substitute overripe tomatoes in your favorite recipe if it calls for canned tomatoes. 4 to 6 medium sized overripe tomatoes provides about the same quantity as a 28 fl. oz. (828 ml) can of diced tomatoes.
- Make oven-dried tomatoes.
- Oven dried tomatoes made from overripe tomatoes are especially rich in flavor. They may take additional time to dry in the oven, but the process is the same. Slice the washed and trimmed tomatoes into 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thick slices. Arrange them on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Dry them in a 250 degree F (120 degree C) oven for about 2 to 6 hours, or until the edges have shriveled and there are no runny juices.
- Oven dried tomatoes can be used sliced in salads, pasta dishes, baked into breads, or any other variety of applications.
- Make tomato juice.
- Overripe tomatoes are a good kind to use when making your own tomato or vegetable juice. Wash and trim the tomatoes of any blemishes, then add them to your juicer as per manufacturer's instructions.
- Give yourself a facial.
- Tomato pulp has just enough acidity in it to revive your skin, increase circulation and give you a healthy glow. Cut an overripe tomato in half and using a spoon, discard the seeds. Mash the tomato pulp with an equal amount of plain yogurt and spread it on your face. Wash it off in 10 to 15 minutes and admire your new glow.
- Finished.
Warnings
- Small blemishes in overripe tomatoes can be cut away. If the tomato tastes sour, or off, or has mold, then adding it to the compost bin is all it is good for.
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