If you’ve ended up with some wrinkled tomatoes, don’t toss them out! There are plenty of ways to use up tomatoes even after they’ve passed their prime. Here are some quick answers to common questions about what to do with wrinkled tomatoes:
Can you eat wrinkled tomatoes?
Yes, you can still eat wrinkled tomatoes! The wrinkles on the skin don’t affect the inner flesh or make the tomatoes dangerous to eat. As long as the tomato smells and tastes normal on the inside, it’s fine to eat them wrinkled.
Are wrinkled tomatoes bad?
Wrinkled tomatoes aren’t “bad” per se, but they’re past their prime. The wrinkles signal that the tomatoes are overripe and have lost some of their moisture content. At this point, the texture and flavor will start to decline, so wrinkled tomatoes won’t be quite as juicy, plump, or sweet. But they’re still perfectly safe to cook with or eat.
Can you cook with wrinkled tomatoes?
You sure can! Cooking is a great way to use up wrinkled tomatoes. The cooking process helps soften up the flesh and brings out the rich, robust tomato flavor. Wrinkled tomatoes are ideal for making soups, stews, chilis, sauces, roasted tomato dishes, and more. The heat helps concentrate the flavors as the tomatoes break down.
What are some recipes using wrinkled tomatoes?
Here are some tasty recipe ideas that are perfect for using up wrinkled tomatoes:
- Tomato sauce or pasta sauce
- Tomato soup
- Shakshuka
- Tomato jam
- Tomato braised chicken
- Tomato galette
- Tomato curry
- Tomatoes provençale
- Tomato chutney
Should I refrigerate wrinkled tomatoes?
You can refrigerate wrinkled tomatoes to extend their shelf life for another few days. The cold temperature will slow down ripening and prevent mold growth. Place wrinkled tomatoes in a perforated plastic bag in the fridge.
However, refrigeration can degrade tomato texture and flavor. So for the best quality, it’s better to use up wrinkled tomatoes right away in cooking rather than storing them.
Can I freeze wrinkled tomatoes?
Freezing is a great way to preserve wrinkled tomatoes! To freeze:
- Wash and dry the tomatoes
- Slice or chop into pieces
- Lay in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze solid
- Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers
Frozen wrinkled tomatoes can be used in cooked dishes, sauces, soups, etc. Thaw before using.
Can I dehydrate wrinkled tomatoes?
Yes, dehydrating is an excellent preservation method for wrinkled tomatoes. To dehydrate:
- Wash tomatoes and pat dry
- Slice tomatoes about 1/4-1/2″ thick
- Arrange in a single layer on dehydrator trays
- Dehydrate at 135°F for 6-10 hours, until dried
- Store in an airtight container
Dried tomatoes are great for adding to pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, and more. Rehydrate in water before using in cooked dishes.
Can I make tomato paste with wrinkled tomatoes?
Definitely! Making tomato paste is a tasty way to use up wrinkled tomatoes. To make tomato paste:
- Wash and core wrinkled tomatoes
- Chop or quarter tomatoes
- Simmer in a pot until very soft and broken down into sauce, about 45 min
- Continue cooking on low heat, stirring frequently, until thick and reduced by nearly half
- Optionally run through a food mill for smoother consistency
- Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week
Homemade tomato paste adds rich flavor to soups, stews, sauces, and more.
Can I juice wrinkled tomatoes?
You can make tomato juice with wrinkled tomatoes! The juice will have a deeper, more concentrated tomato flavor. To juice tomatoes:
- Wash tomatoes and trim off stems
- Cut tomatoes into quarters or eighths
- Run pieces through a vegetable juicer according to manufacturer’s instructions
- Pour juice through a strainer to remove pulp and seeds
- Enjoy tomato juice right away or refrigerate for 2-3 days
Tomato juice makes a healthy beverage on its own or adds flavor to cocktails like Bloody Mary’s.
Can I pickle wrinkled tomatoes?
Pickling is a creative way to extend the life of wrinkled tomatoes. Any type of tomato can be pickled. To pickle tomatoes:
- Wash tomatoes and slice or quarter
- Pack tightly into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2″ headspace
- Fill jars with your pickling liquid of choice – cider vinegar, white vinegar, brine, etc.
- Add any herbs, spices, garlic, etc. for flavor
- Leave 1/2″ headspace at the top
- Process jars in a water bath canner for 15-20 minutes
Let pickled tomatoes cure for at least 2 weeks before eating. Use on salads, sandwiches, charcuterie boards and more.
Can I sun dry wrinkled tomatoes?
Sun drying is a traditional method for preserving tomatoes without any equipment. To sun dry wrinkled tomatoes:
- Slice tomatoes about 1/4-1/2″ thick
- Arrange in a single layer on racks or wire screens
- Place in direct sunlight in an area with good airflow and ventilation
- Bring indoors at night to avoid dew moisture
- It may take 2-7 days for tomatoes to fully dry, depending on climate
- To test for dryness, tomatoes should be leathery with no moisture left
- Store dried tomatoes in an airtight container
Rehydrate sun dried tomatoes before adding them to recipes.
Can I make tomato sauce with wrinkled tomatoes?
Wrinkled, overripe tomatoes are actually ideal for making tomato sauces. The skins and flesh have softened, allowing more flavor to seep into the sauce as the tomatoes break down. To make tomato sauce:
- Wash and core wrinkled tomatoes
- Chop tomatoes or cut into quarters
- Simmer in a pan with olive oil and seasonings like garlic, onion, basil
- Break down tomatoes by crushing them with a wooden spoon as they cook
- Simmer until thickened to desired consistency, about 30-45 minutes
- Run through a food mill or blender to make smooth (optional)
Use homemade tomato sauce on pasta, pizza, in casseroles, soup and more.
What if my tomatoes are moldy?
If your wrinkled tomatoes have mold on them, it’s best to throw them out. Mold can penetrate deep into the tomato, so trimming off the surface mold doesn’t make them safe to eat or cook with.
Can I use tomato skins and seeds?
The skins and seeds of wrinkled tomatoes are still usable! The skins add texture and fiber, while the seeds provide a nutritional boost. Use them in cooked dishes like sauces, soups and stews by simply chopping or crushing the tomatoes whole.
If you want a smooth, seedless texture, you can pass the cooked tomatoes through a food mill or fine mesh strainer to remove skins and seeds.
Should I use wrinkled tomatoes right away?
For best flavor and texture, it’s best to use wrinkled tomatoes as soon as possible. The longer they sit, the softer and mushier they’ll get as moisture evaporates. Stick to your planned cooking or preservation method within a day or two.
Refrigeration can buy you an extra couple days. But freeze or preserve any excess tomatoes you won’t use quickly.
Can I eat wrinkled tomatoes raw?
It’s not recommended to eat extremely wrinkled tomatoes raw. The texture and flavor will likely be mealy, mushy and bland at this overripe stage. Small shrivels are fine, but deeply wrinkled tomatoes are better cooked.
If eating them raw, cut out any bruised or bad spots. Use wrinkled cherry or grape tomatoes in salad since they maintain their shape better than large tomatoes.
Conclusion
Don’t waste those wrinkled tomatoes! With a little creativity, they can be turned into sauces, soups, preserves and more. Although not ideal for raw eating, cooked wrinkled tomatoes are still full of flavor and nutrition. Some smart strategies like freezing, dehydrating and canning give you even more options to make the most of tomatoes past their prime.