Five easy ways to ripen green tomatoes at home.
Caitlin Bensel
Whilefried green tomatoesare delicious, sometimes you want yourgreen tomatoesto be red.
Thankfully, it’s possible for you to ripen green tomatoes pretty easily.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel
Tomatoes, like avocados and apples, are ethylene producers.
Avoid areas with humidity as this can invite fruit flies and mold.
Check the tomatoes daily and remove any that have ripened or started to mold.
Space them out so air has room to circulate.
They need warmth to continue to ripen, and refrigerator storage stops the ripening process.
Keeping them out of direct sunlight is important to ensure even ripening.
Bring Your Tomato Plant Inside
If its possible, bring yourtomato plant insideto finish out the season.
Give it some light but avoid direct sunlight, if possible.
Other ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables include apples, avocados, cantaloupe, peaches, peppers, and pears.
Any tomatoes left unprotected outdoors during frost will no longer be good to eat.
Green tomatoes that are too small and not mature may rot before they ripen.
Separate red and green tomatoes and ripen using one of the methods mentioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, do not wash tomatoes until you are ready to use them.
Any moisture left on the tomatoes after washing them can lead to rot and mold.
Tomatoes ripen more quickly on the vine especially during warm temperatures, and they also have better flavor.
But theres no need to let any mature fruits go to waste.
Ripen them indoors if vine ripening is not an option.
Speed of ripening will depend on the tomato variety and at what stage it was picked.
If you see soft spots or signs of mold on any tomatoes, toss them out.
