Tomatoes are usually canned, but Jananne Finck with University of Illinois Extension says they can be frozen. Some people like to freeze tomatoes because freezing is usually an easier way to preserve food.

To freeze tomatoes, the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) recommends using firm, ripe, deep-red tomatoes. The next step is to decide whether you want to freeze raw or stewed tomatoes.

To freeze raw tomatoes, wash with cold water; then dip in boiling water for 30 seconds to loosen skins. Core and peel. Freeze as whole tomatoes or in pieces. Pack into freezer containers, leaving a 1-inch headspace. Seal, label and freeze and use only for cooking or seasoning because tomatoes will not be solid when thawed.

To freeze stewed tomatoes, remove stem ends, peel and quarter ripe tomatoes. Cover and cook until tender (about 10 to 20 minutes). Place the pan containing the tomatoes in cold water to cool quickly. Pack into containers, leaving about 1-inch headspace, seal, label and freeze.

Tomato juice can also be frozen. To prepare, wash, sort and trim firm, vine-ripened tomatoes. Cut in quarters or eighths. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes; then press through a sieve. If desired, season with 1 teaspoon salt to each quart of juice. Pour into containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace for wide-top pint containers and 1-inch headspace for wide-top quarts. For narrow top openings, leave 1 1/2-inch headspace for pint and quart freezer containers.

For more information on preserving tomatoes and other foods, visit the USDA sponsored National Center for Home Food Preservation website at www.homefoodpreservation.com.

Source: Jananne Finck, Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness

Food Safety Music Videos

Nancy Kreith, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Coordinator emailed me this web site a couple of weeks ago. The focus of the site is to promote food safety. The site uses musical animations to get their message across to the viewer. The animations were produced at New Mexico State University as part of USDA CSREES National Integrated Food Safety Initiative Project Number CD-D-FST-7057-CG.

The project title is "Improving Food Safety Education Through Use of Music-Based Curricula" and the Project Director is Carl Winter at the University of California, Davis. Other cooperating educational institutions on the project are the University of Idaho, Clemson University, the University of Delaware, and North Carolina State University.

My favorite video is "Don't be a Gambler" which shows you how to properly prepare burgers. Another great video especially for kids is "You Better Wash Your Hands" sung to the Beatles song, "I Want Hold Your Hand". Other videos include "We Are the Microbes", "Don't Get Sticky Wit It", "Stomachache Tonight" and "Veggie Believer". Audio versions are also available on the Web site.