Looking for a few quick and easy ways to use up a big harvest of cherry tomatoes this year?
Now is the time of year that many gardeners start to become inundated with cherry tomatoes. In fact, it can often seem like they double in numbers with each day that passes! But what in the world can you do with all of them?
Despite their tiny size, cherry tomatoes are just as delicious and versatile as their larger cousins – if not more. Even though they might be small, they are packed full of robust tomato flavor. In addition, they are one of the juiciest tomato types of all – and that makes them ideal for so many great uses!
Many people think that cherry tomatoes are only good for eating fresh. But as it turns out, the opposite couldn’t be more true. Sure, they are delicious eaten whole or when added to your salads, but as it turns out, there are actually a whole slew of other great options when it comes to using a massive cherry tomato harvest.
4 Great Ways To Use Cherry Tomatoes
Make Delicious Homemade Tomato Juice!
One of the best ways to use up a huge harvest of cherry tomatoes quickly is to make tomato juice. Whether you are using it for drinking or for adding to recipes like homemade chili, tomato juice is a great homemade product to have on hand.
Even though they are tiny, cherry tomatoes are packed with tons of juice and flavor. If you’ve ever popped one in your mouth and taken a bite, you know just how much juice is inside!
The process of making homemade tomato juice is simple and straightforward. You don’t even need to add any additional liquid when making tomato juice using cherry tomatoes.
First, wash all of your tomatoes, making sure to remove any stems or damaged fruit. Next, add them to a large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, carefully push the tomatoes through a strainer to remove the peels and seeds. Return the juice to the stockpot and bring it back to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Cool the juice for freezing or process for canning.
You can also mix in other tomato varieties for really complex and unique tomato juice flavors. Slicing tomatoes work great due to their high juice content. As do a long list of heirloom tomatoes that together add all kinds of flavor to your juice!
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Believe it or not, cherry tomatoes are perfect for roasting! Roasted cherry tomatoes have an intense flavor that works well with a huge variety of dishes – meat and vegetarian alike.
To start, wash and remove any stems or damaged fruit before cutting or using. You can choose to roast the tomatoes whole or you can cut them in half – both options work just fine. Next, place your cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Drizzle the fruit with olive oil. Add a generous sprinkling of salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings on top. If needed, mix around the tomatoes on the sheet to make sure all pieces are evenly coated.
Roast them uncovered in a 400º Fahrenheit (F) oven for about 20 to 30 minutes. They should look slightly caramelized and, if whole, they should have burst open. Serve them with your favorite dish or freeze them for later processing or use.
How To Use Cherry Tomatoes To Make Delicious Sauce – With Ease!
Most cherry tomatoes have a higher sugar content than some of the larger paste or slicing varieties, and that makes them perfect for making a delicious tomato sauce. And, you can create a delicious sauce using only five simple ingredients!
Warm up 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and allow to become fragrant and slightly softened (takes about two minutes).
Next, add four cups of washed cherry tomatoes to the skillet and mix well. Allow them to cook down, smashing them once they open up. Continue to cook until they reach the desired consistency.
Finally, add 1 cup of chopped fresh basil and ground black pepper to taste. Salt can be added optionally if desired. Use this tomato sauce immediately over your favorite pasta or freeze it for later use.
Freezing Tomatoes
One of the easiest ways to tackle a large crop of ripe cherry tomatoes is to freeze them whole. This is a great option that allows you more flexibility if you don’t have the time to process the fruit right at the moment you harvest.
In addition, it also allows you to harvest several smaller batches for processing one big batch later on. Or, you can store different varieties in the freezer due to different maturity rates and then mix them all together for unique flavor profiles.
You can even enjoy thawed-out cherry tomatoes on your salads and in recipes just like you would with fresh tomatoes. Just keep in mind that the texture will be softer and you won’t have the nice “pop” like you would if they were eaten fresh.
How To Freeze
To freeze tomatoes whole, simply wash them in water, being sure to remove any stems or damaged fruit. Allow them to dry and then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer to flash freeze for an hour or so.
Add the frozen cherry tomatoes to freezer-safe bags, removing as much of the air as possible when sealing. Now you can pull them out whenever you are ready to process a large batch, or when you want the fresh flavor of just-picked tomatoes in your favorite recipes, sauces, salads, etc. Affiliate Link: Amazon Basics Freezer Quart Bags, 120 Count
With all of these great options, you should have no issues finding great ways to use up your big harvest of delicious cherry tomatoes this summer. And remember, cherry tomato plants are easy to grow indoors too – letting you have fresh tomato taste all year round. See: How To Grow Tomatoes Indoors In The Winter!
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