Summer Fresh Cherry Tomatoes

Ashdown, Ark. –

How can you use all of your ripe cherry tomatoes?  There are not any recipes to safely can cherry tomatoes whole; however you can cook and freeze them to be used in a sauce or soup during the winter months. 

You can also freeze whole tomatoes with the peels on. To do this, first wash the tomatoes with running water and dry with a paper towel before cutting away the stem scar. Place tomatoes on cookie sheets and freeze. The tomatoes do not need to be blanched before freezing. Once frozen, transfer the tomatoes into freezer bags or other freezer safe containers.  You can use a few tomatoes at a time or all at once. To peel, just run a frozen tomato under warm water in the sink and the skin will easily slip off. 

Tomatoes are a nutrient rich food packed with vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber.  They are naturally low in sodium, fat, and calories.  Tomatoes are considered a vegetable by cultivation and nutrition standards. Botanically, it is a fruit!

This is how I have been roasting fresh cherry tomatoes in the oven this summer. First, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Next, wash the tomatoes and then slice in half removing seeds, if desired. Spray a pan with olive oil cooking spray and place one layer of tomato halves. Top with salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning to taste. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, if desired, and roast for 20 minutes. Serve as a side dish and enjoy!

Here’s another recipe to make with fresh tomatoes!

PASTA WITH ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES

Ingredients: 

½ pound whole wheat pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pint cherry tomatoes (estimated 25-30)
1 medium chopped onion
4 chopped garlic cloves
1 medium chopped red bell pepper
6 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Yield: 
6 - 1 cup servings. Each serving has 230 calories, 8g fat, 1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 210mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate, 5g dietary fiber, and 6 g protein.

Directions: 

1. Cook pasta according to package.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F.
3. Score each of the cherry tomatoes with a small X. Toss the tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and roast in oven for 10-15 minutes, until they burst.
4. Sauté onion in 2 tablespoons olive oil for 5 minutes.
5. Add garlic and red bell peppers. Sauté for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Add fresh and dried herbs, salt and oven roasted cherry tomatoes.
7. Toss with drained pasta.

Always feel free to stop by our office at 1411 N Constitution Ave in Ashdown or call 870-898-7224 to receive additional information. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Research and Extension. The Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.
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By Celeste Scarborough, MS, RD, LD
County Extension Agent - FCS
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Celeste Scarborough, MS, RD, LD
County Extension Agent - FCS
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
1411 N Constitution Ave Ashdown AR 71822
(870) 898-7224
cascarborough@uada.edu

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

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