Method 1: Peeling and chopping tomatoes before freezing
Step 1:Wash tomatoes and remove stalks- fill a clean sink or bowl with water and give the tomatoes a quick wash to remove any bugs, leaves or dirt.Step 2: Peel tomatoes - there are 2 ways you can peel your tomatoes - I find grilling the tomatoes to be much quicker, easier and less fussy - you can do a lot more in one go!Grill (my preferred method) - line a large rimmed oven tray with baking paper or a silicone liner. Slice the tomatoes in half and place skin side up on the tray. Place under the pre heated grill (as hot as it can go) for a few minutes, keeping a close eye on them. Once the skins start to blister, remove the tray from the oven. Once they are cool enough to handle, slip the skins off and discard.Blanch and peel - Bring a large pot of water to the boil and fill the clean sink with cold water and ice. Score a cross in the bottom of the tomatoes and place several in the boiling water for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until the skins start to peel back. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the tomatoes to the ice water and once they are cool enough to handle, remove the skins - they should slip right off.Step 3: Roughly chop tomatoes and weigh into snap lock freezer bags or freezer proof containers in any quantity you prefer - I usually do 400 grams as that is the equivalent of a tin of chopped tomatoes. If I am using a snap lock bag I like to fill with tomatoes, squeeze out any excess air and then spread the tomatoes flat to fill the bag so that it freezes flat. This makes them easier to stack in the freezer and they also thaw out much faster.Label the bag or container with the contents, date and weight of tomatoes and freeze.
Method 2: Chopping tomatoes before freezing
Step 1:Wash tomatoes and remove stalks- fill a clean sink or bowl with water and give the tomatoes a quick wash to remove any bugs, leaves or dirt.Step 2: Roughly chop tomatoes and weigh into snaplock freezer bags or freezer proof containers in any quantity you prefer - I usually do 400 grams as that is the equivalent of a tin of chopped tomatoes. If I am using a snap lock bag I like to fill with tomatoes, squeeze out any excess air and then spread the tomatoes flat to fill the bag so that it freezes flat. This makes them easier to stack in the freezer and they also thaw out much faster.Label the bag or container with the contents, date and weight of tomatoes.
Method 3: Freezing tomatoes whole
Step 1:Wash tomatoes and remove stalks- fill a clean sink or bowl with water and give the tomatoes a quick wash to remove any bugs, leaves or dirt.Step 2: Pack tomatoes directly into snap lock freezer bags and freeze. The tomatoes will not stick together so will naturally freeze free flow (individually) making it easy to remove as many as you need.Label the bag or container with the contents, date and weight of tomatoes.