Peel off and discard skins. Using a sharp paring knife and spoon, cut and scoop out the flesh, leaving thickish walls. Salt the cavities lightly and invert on a cooling rack for 15 minutes to drain. 1 large tomato, seeded, yields 1 cup chopped. Storage Tomatoes will ripen to a juicy red on their own when stored at room temperature.
Refrigeration kills flavor in fresh tomatoes.
Do not refrigerate tomatoes until fully ripe. Tomatoes are actually a fruit even though the U.S. Supreme Court declared them a vegetable in 1893. The tomato is a true American native. Originally cultivated by Aztecs and Incas as early as 700 A.D., tomatoes were introduced to Europeans during 16th century explorations.