This morning we awoke to a surprise frost that left frost burn on the sides of almost all of our tomatoes. 80% of each tomato is fine, but 20% has been frozen. Typically we bring them in before a frost and let them ripen for the next couple of months. Is this a complete loss? Any ideas with what to do with a bunch (17 plants worth/4 full paper grocery sacks) of partially ripe tomatoes? I would really hate to waste them all.
Tons of semi-ripe tomatos with frost burn. Can I use them?
Potagere
Oct 10, 2008
Same thing happened to me here 2 years ago. I made them all into green tomato relish which I had not even had since my mother died. It was good and made excellent gifts, as almost no one we passed it along to had ever eaten it.
I'd wash and freeze them for use later in relish and other recipes you may find. Fried green tomatoes are excellent to replace onion rings and fries. I just don't know how long they'll keep fresh. You might also ask on the tomato forum.
Green tomatoes can replace cucumbers in any pickle recipe with wonderful results. The frozen fruits will need to be processed in some manner as they will rot rapidly.
Do a google search for green tomato raspberry jam. It's made with jello.