what to do with green tomatoes

**RaineyDaye** · 10-10-2009, 09:01 PM

This may be a stupid question, but I planted tomatoes this year and I have several plants with hard green tomatoes that I don't think are going to ripen. It has been really rainy, in the 40s at night and rarely over 60 in the daytime. So should I pick the tomatoes and bring them inside... will they ever ripen? or should I just throw them away?

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-10-2009, 09:04 PM

Bring them inside, they will ripen. I have a pile of them on my counter now.

**Durgan** · 10-10-2009, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by RaineyDaye

This may be a stupid question, but I planted tomatoes this year and I have several plants with hard green tomatoes that I don't think are going to ripen. It has been really rainy, in the 40s at night and rarely over 60 in the daytime. So should I pick the tomatoes and bring them inside... will they ever ripen? or should I just throw them away?

Pick therm before a frost. The fruit will spoil quickly if hit with a frost. Fry them in a bit of butter in a cast iron pan. This can be done green or even if a bit ripe. Some will ripen to some degree, but will generally taste like the store bought ones in the Winter season.

**gapeach** · 10-10-2009, 09:22 PM

Fried green tomatoes are delicious!

**Contrary Housewife** · 10-11-2009, 12:06 AM

They will change color, they don't really ripen. They will be kind of bland.

I saw that you can make relish out of them just like you would with cucumbers and onion, and can it. I may try this if mine don't ripen on the vine.

**quilting2day2** · 10-11-2009, 01:18 AM

What I usually do is pick the green tomoatoes wrap them in newspaper put them in a basket keep them in a cornor in kitchen or some where out of the way . Go through the basket 1 times a week and you will have fresh ripe tomatoes all winter. ( they will eventually ripen this way)

**frugalfranny** · 10-11-2009, 01:21 AM

Green Tomato Jam (flavored to whatever you like with jam)

4 cups green tomato pulp
4 cups white sugar
1 Lg.- 6 ounces- fruit flavored gelatin (or 2 small pkges)

In lg. saucepan over med.-high heat combine tomato pulp and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in gelatin, cook three to five more minutes until gelatin is completely dissolved. Pour into jars, seal. Can be put into freezer at this point - or - water bath for 15 minutes.

I made two batches this year.......used black cherry and blackberry jello. Can use any flavor you like. Have used strawberry and also raspberry in the past.

**pinetree** · 10-11-2009, 06:18 PM

I just made green tomato cake and bread, both turned out really good, the bread is more like zuchinni bread.

Next is green tomato pie and green tomato pasta toss. I got the recipes off Allrecipes.com

I also wrapped alot of them in newspaper for later use when they turn red. Just check them often to see if they have ripened.

**RetiredVeryEarly** · 10-17-2009, 11:34 PM

If you put them in a brown paper bag with some apples and close it up, they will ripen better. The apples give off a gas that helps the tomatoes ripen.

**Palooka** · 10-18-2009, 12:32 AM

Our friends canned green tomato salsa. It was to die for! I've never had it before and I loved it.

**frugalfranny** · 10-18-2009, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Our friends canned green tomato salsa. It was to die for! I've never had it before and I loved it.

Palooka....Can you get their recipe? And post it here?

Thanks pinetree.....for the post. I have all recipes in my favorites too but haven't looked there. Mine are all turning red/yellow/orange REALLY fast.......I can't keep up with eating them! DARN....won't have any by Christmas! Had to toss some cherry tom. today!

**Palooka** · 10-18-2009, 01:23 AM

Sure I can ask them and will post when I find out. Now I am craving it just talking about it.

**frugalfranny** · 10-18-2009, 01:26 AM

Please hurry Palooka.......I won't have any green ones.

Ask them if you can use 'fully ripe' tomatoes.....I would guess that you could........but check it out for me please.

**Palooka** · 10-18-2009, 01:54 AM

Tommorow is football day and we usually talk to them. I will ask them ASAP just for you. Actually I want the recipe myself too.

I'm sure you could use those fully riped.

**Palooka** · 10-18-2009, 11:48 PM

FF, I haven't forgot about you. Left message with them today and have not heard from them. They might be out of town. I will get the recipe but I hope it's not too late for your tomatoes.