Autumn may be filling the farmers market with apples, persimmons, and winter squash, but don’t pass by the tomatoes just yet. Our farmers still have loads of beautiful field-grown, sun-ripened tomatoes—and there’s time to put some away for winter.
Look for tomatoes from Pinnacle Organic, Spade & Plow Organics, KT Farms, Borba Family Farms, Munak Ranch, and Prevedelli Farms. Bring home enough for tonight’s dinner and a little extra for the freezer or pantry.
You don’t need to tackle a whole day of preserving. A few pounds, a little preparation, and the right method can give you a welcome head start on meals for months to come.
Short on Time? Freeze Them
Freezing is the easiest place to begin. Put tomatoes away whole or prepare them for cooking before packing into useful portions. They’ll soften when thawed, making them ideal for soups, sauces, stews, and braises.
Read: How to Freeze Fresh Tomatoes: Save a Little Summer for Winter
Put a Pot of Sauce on the Stove
Our basic stovetop sauce lets ripe tomatoes shine, with just olive oil, garlic, and salt. Freeze it in small portions for quick pasta suppers, pizza, soups, and simmering with beans. The guide includes clear cooling instructions and suggestions for portion sizes.
Make: Simple Tomato Sauce: A Freezer Staple for Winter
Prefer the deeper flavor of roasted tomatoes? Our Easy Roasted Tomato Sauce is another delicious option for the freezer.
Make Room on the Pantry Shelf
For those who enjoy canning, plain tomato sauce is a wonderfully versatile staple. Our guide follows a research-tested method, with exact acidification amounts, headspace, and processing times for your elevation.
Read: How to Can Plain Tomato Sauce
Try Something a Little Different
Chef Andrew Cohen’s Tomato Liquor captures concentrated tomato flavor for boosting soups, sauces, and vegetable dishes. Freeze the finished liquor in small portions to use whenever a dish needs a little more tomato character.
Bring Home a Little Extra
Ask your farmer which tomatoes they recommend for sauce or preserving, and whether larger quantities are available.
Keep a few beauties for slicing and eating fresh, then put the rest away. On a chilly winter evening, a pot of soup made with market tomatoes will feel like time well spent.
MORE RECIPES: For all of our delicious tomato recipes, click here.
