Freezing tomatoes 101

Tonight I froze a batch of tomatoes from the garden. Here's the step by step including pictures of each step in the box. Once winter rolls around, I'll thaw them and use them to make pasta sauce. If you have a bumper crop of tomatoes, this is a great way to enjoy the summer flavor during those cold winter months.

Step 1: Wash the tomatoes

Step 2: Boil enough water to cover tomatoes

Step 3: Put tomatoes in boiling water for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Step 4: Remove tomatoes after 1 minute and plunge into an ice water bath to stop the cooking

Step 5: Soak in ice water for 5 minutes

Step 6: Take out of ice water and peel off skin. It will almost fall off the tomato.

Step 7: Core tomato, cut in half crosswise (not from stem to bottom) and take out seeds with your finger or a spoon.

Step 8: Squeeze out extra liquid and let drain for 10 minutes to get rid of extra liquid.

Step 9: Store in plastic freezer bag or plastic freezer container. Leave about 1 inch extra room in container for expansion.

Step 10: When ready to use, thaw and enjoy.  See www.allrecipes.com for tons of pasta sauce recipes.