Best way to preserve excess garden tomatoes without canning?

Harvesting Bumper Crops Without the Canning Pressure

There’s nothing quite like the taste of a fresh, sun-ripened tomato straight from your garden. However, when the harvest truly kicks in, many gardeners find themselves overwhelmed with an abundance of juicy red fruit. While canning is a time-honored tradition, it’s not the only way to safeguard your summer bounty. For those seeking simpler, less equipment-intensive alternatives, several fantastic methods exist to preserve your excess garden tomatoes, ensuring you can enjoy their flavor long after the growing season ends.

Freezing: The Easiest Preservation Method

Freezing is arguably the simplest and least labor-intensive way to preserve tomatoes without canning. It requires minimal preparation and no special equipment beyond freezer bags or containers. You can freeze tomatoes in several ways, depending on how you plan to use them.

Whole or Halved Tomatoes

For whole tomatoes, simply wash them, remove the core, and place them on a baking sheet in a single layer to freeze solid. Once frozen, transfer them to freezer-safe bags. The skins will slip off easily once thawed, making them perfect for sauces, soups, and stews. You can also quickly blanch and peel them before freezing if you prefer.

Diced or Crushed Tomatoes

If you know you’ll be using tomatoes in diced form, wash, core, and chop them into desired pieces. You can then pack these into freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label with the date and quantity. For crushed tomatoes, simply lightly crush them and freeze in similar bags or containers.

Drying: Concentrated Tomato Flavor

Drying tomatoes concentrates their flavor into intensely sweet and savory morsels perfect for salads, pasta dishes, omelets, and more. This can be done using a food dehydrator, your oven, or even direct sunlight in suitable climates.

Using a Dehydrator

Slice tomatoes about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, remove excess moisture with a paper towel, and arrange them on dehydrator trays. Follow your dehydrator’s instructions, typically drying at 135°F (57°C) for 8-12 hours until leathery and pliable. Store dried tomatoes in airtight containers in a cool, dark place, or pack them in olive oil in the refrigerator.

Oven-Drying

For oven-drying, slice tomatoes as above and arrange them on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at the lowest possible temperature (usually 170-200°F or 77-93°C) with the oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. This can take several hours, so monitor closely.

Roasting and Freezing: Boosting Flavor

Roasting tomatoes before freezing is a fantastic way to deepen their flavor profile. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and adds a rich, smoky complexity that raw tomatoes don’t possess. This method is incredibly simple and yields a versatile ingredient for countless recipes.

To roast, halve or quarter your tomatoes, toss them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them on a baking sheet. Roast at 375°F (190°C) for 30-45 minutes, or until softened and slightly caramelized. Let them cool completely, then freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags or containers. These roasted beauties are excellent for adding to pasta sauces, bruschetta, pizzas, or blending into soups.

Making and Freezing Sauces or Paste

Transforming your tomatoes into ready-to-use sauces, purees, or paste is another highly practical non-canning preservation method. This allows you to do the bulk of the cooking upfront, making weeknight meals a breeze.

Simple Tomato Sauce

Cook down chopped tomatoes with herbs, garlic, and onions to create a basic marinara. Once cooled, portion the sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags. These can last for months in the freezer and are perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for other dishes.

Homemade Tomato Paste

For a more concentrated flavor, simmer tomato puree for a long time until it reduces significantly into a thick paste. Spread this paste into ice cube trays or small freezer-safe containers. Once frozen, pop out the cubes and store them in a freezer bag. A cube or two can add a burst of rich tomato flavor to stews, chilis, and sauces.

Enjoy Your Garden’s Bounty Year-Round

With these straightforward preservation techniques, you can easily handle even the most prolific tomato harvest without ever needing a canning pot. Whether you opt for the simplicity of freezing, the intense flavor of drying, or the convenience of ready-made sauces, these methods ensure that the taste of summer sunshine can brighten your table throughout the year. Experiment with what works best for your kitchen and enjoy the delicious rewards of your gardening efforts!