10 Things to do with Tomatoes
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With tomatoes coming in more and more every day around my house, I thought I would share some ideas on what to do with them with you today.
I hope you planted tomatoes this year! I strongly encourage you to grow however much of your own food as you possibly can and in many parts of the country it is not too late to get a late summer garden in. You will be glad you did this fall when you see how high our food prices will be going (yes, in addition to the heights they have already reached).
Are Tomatoes Fruits or Vegetable?
Well it depends on who you ask. If you ask a botanist who knows the criteria regarding what makes a fruit a fruit, then tomatoes are actually fruits, not vegetables.
Bottom line (I guess) is fruits contain seeds, while vegetables typically don’t have seeds and consist mainly of roots, stems and leaves.
For me it really doesn’t matter much… I just want to enjoy these little beauties with a lovely meal. Now go get you some tomatoes and enjoy them in these 10 different ways…
Here are a few of my favorite things to do with tomatoes:
Freezing Tomatoes
Freezing tomatoes is an incredibly simple way to put them up. It’s fast, easy, and requires no special equipment. You will be rewarded with garden fresh taste when you use them in soups and stews this fall. There is nothing like it! Try my family’s chicken stew, my chili, this phenomenal goulash, or even add them to store bought spaghetti sauce to liven up the flavor!
I have been making tomato chips almost daily for several weeks now because we eat them just as fast as I can get them made! This simple method yields a deliciously crisp chip that can be eaten as a snack or tossed in soups and stews to rehydrate and serve like you would traditional stewed tomatoes.
This is a very common lunch for me during tomato season. I slice fresh tomatoes, add a few simple ingredients, and eat until I’m floundered! They are just that good!
Make Tomato Pie!
Tomato pie is a wonderful side dish that can also double as a meal in itself!
Make Tomato and Cucumber Salad!
This is one of my favorite salads to bring to family reunions, summer potlucks, or to eat pretty much year round.
It’s always best with garden fresh tomatoes though.
Make Slow Cooker Tacos
This is an easily customizable meal using whatever veggies your garden is currently giving you. Yesterday I made it and doubled the tomatoes, used fresh squash from a neighbor and paired it with the other simple ingredients and seasonings for a fresh and filling home cooked meal in one!
Corn relish is good on pretty much anything but I especially enjoy it on top of a bowl of pinto beans or served alongside fresh cornbread. This also makes a great Christmas gift to anyone who would enjoy a little taste of summer during the winter months. 
Tomatoes and Okra
This four-ingredient tomatoes and okra recipe with crispy bacon and tender onion will knock your socks off. I mean you did see bacon in the title, right?!
Fried Green tomatoes are as Southern as Sweet tea, and for good reason! If you have any unripened tomatoes or harder than usual red ones, use this recipe to make one Jim Dandy of a side dish!
Greek Chicken Tacos
Fresh chopped tomatoes are always wonderful served atop tacos. This recipe combines them with fresh herbs to make a delicious topping on Greek Chicken Tacos.
Share Them With Neighbors!
A tradition as old as gardens are, sharing bounty with neighbors fosters friendships and lends a helping hand as well. If you have a bountiful garden this year and know someone who doesn’t:
Hey around here in Grainger County grow the Best Tomatoes it’s because of the soil here in East Tennessee, they taste so good on kerns white bread with a little Mayo and Oh my Lord it’s delicious!!
Luv tomatoes, fruit or vegetable. Yum!
Many veggies have seeds, cukes, squash, peppers….
So enjoy reading. So many great recipes.
Keep on.
I have an abundance of grape tomatoes. I have started eating them with shredded cheese and mayonnaise, kind of like pimento cheese. This would be great except I’m not supposed to be eating cheese! Lol
My husband ans son both started anew way of gardening for us and his family. My son built rectangler boxes and put in mushroom compost and then we planted out vegetable plants. Neither last year nor this have we had to weed a garden and everything grows like crazy.
Will never have another conventional garden again. No weeding, how about that?
Wanted to tell you how much delight your blog has brought over the last 10 years. Brady and my boys are the same age. You chat like my sister. We both love hearing about your adventures and your thoughts about the world and the lovely world you have created for your family. You bring joy.
Thanks Karen
Thank you so much Karen, that means the world to me!! Love, Hugs and Blessings!
Love them green fried tomatoes. but in dry AZ. no garden fresh grown.
Oh my goodness, maybe it’s time to come visit us folks in the South 😉
My tomatoes are still growing….love fresh veggies from the garden! You are the best! Love my Southern Plate! Any ideas on what to do with pears? Seems we have an abundance of them this year. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!