Article: If you set your tomatoes on a sunny windowsill, they may ripen too quickly and spoil before you can eat them. Keep them out of direct sunlight by placing them in a cupboard or in a shady spot on the counter instead. Try putting your tomatoes on a pretty plate to enjoy their bright color until you use them. Fresh tomatoes will last for about a week on the counter. If you picked your tomatoes before they were ripe, you can help them ripen faster by placing them in a brown paper bag. Add a banana or a sliced apple to the bag. These fruits produce ethylene gas, which is a chemical that tomatoes produce during the ripening process. Refrigeration will prolong the life of your tomatoes, but it also alters their fresh flavor and texture. Try to use as many of your tomatoes as you can without refrigerating them. If you do refrigerate your tomatoes, put them in the crisper to preserve their taste longer. Tomatoes should last for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator. If you want to preserve your tomatoes for use later in sauces or soups, try freezing them whole. Just take the core out, then place the tomatoes in a freezer-safe bag or container. There's no need to remove the skins, as these will slip off easily when you defrost the tomatoes. Frozen tomatoes will keep for up to 6 months in the freezer. To defrost the tomatoes, allow them to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Store your tomatoes in a cabinet or on a shaded countertop. Place tomatoes in a paper bag with a banana to ripen them faster. Don't refrigerate ripe tomatoes unless you have to. Freeze tomatoes whole to use later.