Garden full of un-ripe green tomatos...what to do?

[bettymae1121]

Curious as to where you purchased your tomato plants.

I got some heiloom seeds from mail order, and DH bought a few plants from a local veggie stand (they sell plants in the spring and fruit/veggies in the summer/fall). Normally we get most of our tomatos in August (Northeast IL) but this was our 1st year with a new garden (which was planted a few weeks later than usual due to outside events), and I think DH under-fertilized. That combined with a VERY early fall, the fruit just didn't have a chance to turn. We should do better next year, we should be able to plant on schedule and I'll have DH put more good stuff in the soil.

 

[nicki.momof3]

I read this once, tried it, and it worked!! You wrap each tomato in some newspaper then put them into paper bags and put them in a cool, dark place. I was shocked and surprised that they actually ripened that way!

Now if you have a TON of tomatoes that would probably be a lot of work, but for the green ones that are left on the vine, I do it before the first frost with the remaining dozen or so and then have no waste.

I have also heard of using this method. Never tried it though. Please share if it works.

 

[pk1959]

I have also heard of using this method. Never tried it though. Please share if it works.

It definitely works!! I do it every year but have never done it with a HUGE amount of tomatoes. They do pretty much all ripen at the same time. Probably will be doing it this weekend as a matter of fact the way this Michigan weather seems to be going this year.

 

[StregaNona]

wrap them in newspaper and they will ripen

My grandfather taught me to do this with green tomatoes at the end of the growing season. I also put them on a window sill for several days until they ripened that way. Enjoy!

 

[PatsMom]

We always made picallili. If you google you should find lots of recipes besides the one that has already been posted. When I was a kid I hated grinding up the tomato. I imagine now you could do it in a food processor but back then, it was a hand cranked grinder.

 

[cndij]

Curious as to where you purchased your tomato plants. When we moved into our house, the tomato plants left by the previous owner I literally could not reach the top of the plants to pick the tomatoes.

I purchase my seeds from Penny's Tomatoes in Myrtle Beach SC. Heirloom types always do better for me. You also might want to rotate the garden if you plant different things besides tomatoes. Planting the same type of plant in the same place year after year will deplete your soil. If it is the only spot that is ideal for tomatoes, make sure you amend your soil each year, with leaves, compost, manure etc., to rebuild the lost nutrients.

My mother in law does the thing with wrapping them in newspaper and she had fresh tomatoes until Thanksgiving last year.

 

[SandrA9810]

I've got only 2 tomatoes on my plant. It bloomed about 3 or 4 times before any fruit set. There's another round of flowers now. At least it's been really warm and humid here, I hope to get more than 2 off this plant I've been babying all summer long.

 

[cherokeemamma]

I would bring those babies in the house and fry em! I don't think I could ever get tired of them; my favorite!!! Have you ever had Chow Chow? It is made from green tomatoes. My mother has always made this...delicious on peas, butter beans, etc. You could certainly give it as a gift too! Here is a website with instructions:
www.pickyourown.org/SouthernChowChow.htm

The tomatoes will ripen once you bring them in the house. Just leave them on the counter. If you have too many ripe tomatoes make a Tomato Pie! Very yummy! Also you could make a tomato relish or can some homemade tomato juice.

TTFN
Darlene

 

[mom2randj]

Marking this thread b/c I am in the same boat! Thanks for posting!

 

[englishteacha]

Make relish! Then send some to me!

 

[My3Princez]

You may think this sounds crazy, but trust me - it works! You can take any apple pie recipe and substitute sliced green tomatoes for sliced apples and no-one can tell the difference. Tastes just like apple pie!

 

[mdrob214]

I read this once, tried it, and it worked!! You wrap each tomato in some newspaper then put them into paper bags and put them in a cool, dark place. I was shocked and surprised that they actually ripened that way!

Now if you have a TON of tomatoes that would probably be a lot of work, but for the green ones that are left on the vine, I do it before the first frost with the remaining dozen or so and then have no waste.

This works! I put mine in cardboard boxes, single layers, wrapped individually in one layer of newspaper and stored in my basement where it's cool and dark. Every few days (2x a week or so) I'd check on them and pull the ripe ones. Not as yummy as the vine-ripened tomatoes, but way better than anything you'll get in a grocery store.