Here are four ways you can preserve tomatoes

Tomato scientifically known as Solanum lycopersicum is the most consumed vegetable in Africa’s most populous country.

This versatile crop constitutes 20 percent of Nigeria’s daily vegetable consumption, with annual market demand of approximately 2.3 million metric tonnes.

It can be eaten fresh, used at cosmetics for face cleanser and used to prepare sauce.

Currently, markets across the country are filled with fresh tomatoes as the vegetable is currently in its season and the prices are affordable.

The price slash from an average of N150,000 last year to currently about N14,000 in Lagos has come as a ray of sunshine for consumers grappling with food inflation at 39.84 percent in December 2024.

Therefore, Nigerians are urged to utilise this decline window by buying the vegetables in bulk, which according to farmers will extend until the end of March, just before the rainy season kicks in.

In its usual manner, BusinessDay looks at how Nigerians can preserve tomatoes due to the current tomato price crash in the market, in preparation for the rainy days — in the middle of the year when tomato prices rise again — to prevent a return to strange alternatives.

Read also: Tomato prices decline 90% in Lagos, others on bumper harvest

Blending and Freezing

Blending is one of the oldest means of food processing. From the days of grinding stones to huge industrial grinding machines, Nigerians are familiar with this time-old preservative method.

Blended tomatoes stored in small bags can be placed inside working freezers where they can be allowed to become frozen.

This method not only preserves the quality of tomatoes but retains the taste and flavour of the tomato puree.

Hence, consumers can adopt this preservative method which can last for about 6 months or more, to prepare for the upcoming surge in the middle of the month when the rainy season commences.

Canning

Tomatoes can be sliced and stored in cans for a long period. This method of preservation is commonly used in the United States for tomato soup recipes.

Tomato balls are sliced and stored in tight air jars with a sprinkle of lemon to prevent oxidation (loss of quality and taste) and then placed inside the fridge.

Drying

Tomatoes can be blended and placed under the sun for a specific period until they are well-dried.

This method of preservation is common among people in rural communities with poor access to electricity and cold storage facilities.

Boiling

Boiling is a common method of tomato preservation. Large quantities can be blended and boiled until they are water-free.

This boiled puree can be stored in jars, or ziploc bags for as long as possible.