How to store tomato puree? (3 precautions)
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, “How to store tomato puree?”. We will discuss two methods to store tomato puree and the safety procedure that accompanies them.
How to store tomato puree?
Tomato puree is easy and simple to make. When you store tomato puree lets you use tomatoes in your cooking all year round — but only if you preserve it the right way.
The First Method: Freezing
If you want to use small amounts of the puree regularly or daily; then, you can freeze it in easy, handy cubes. If you are going for long-term storage, then canning is the better way to go. Either way, you’ll be able to make deliciously tantalizing soups, stews, and sauces no matter what the season is.
Carefully clean an ice cube tray. If your ice cube trays are dishwasher-safe, you can run them through a dishwasher that is set on a hot cycle. If they’re not dishwasher-safe, or you don’t have a dishwasher, use warm and soapy water to sanitize them before their use.
Take a tablespoon and begin spooning the puree into an ice cube tray. Spooning in the puree will ensure that each cube has the same amount of puree as the rest and; thus prevents the individual ice cube wells or holes from overflowing. Additionally, cooling the puree before putting it in the ice cube tray will help it freeze faster.
The usual, standardized ice cube trays usually hold two tablespoons (1.0 fl oz) in each well; this helpfully lets you know how much is in each cube when you use it.
Cover your ice cube tray with cling wrap or a freezer bag; this will stop dust and crumbs from getting in the puree and from ruining your puree, instead of keeping it clean and perfect to use in your cooking.
Freeze the tray of puree until it has solidified; this should take approximately four hours. The puree cubes should be able to keep their shape when you take them out of the tray — if they don’t, you need to freeze them for a greater amount of time, but if they do, they’re perfect!
Put your frozen puree cubes in an airtight bag or container. Once the puree cubes have frozen, get an airtight container, a freezer bag, or a Ziplock bag to store them in.
Do make sure to use plastic containers for freezing instead of glass containers, as glass has a higher chance of cracking up.
Put the container or bag is sealed tight before storing them in the freezer to stop moisture from building up inside, keeping your puree fresher for a longer amount of time. Store your puree cubes inside the freezer until you need them. The puree cubes will last for you for approximately two months, give or take a week.
Make sure to also label your bags or containers of cubes with the date before you store them.
If you plan to freeze the puree for long periods, a good trick is to place them at the back of the freezer, away from the door. It will prevent thawing and keep them frozen and fresh instead of being half-melted and icky.
The Second Method: canning your puree
To begin with, sterilize the canning jars. You could sterilize the jars by placing them in boiling water for 10 minutes.
Sterilizing the jars before you use them removes any bacteria that could make your puree go bad; once you’ve canned it.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, and then turn down the heat so that the water is bubbling gently before putting the lids in. It should take a couple of minutes for the can lids to become soft and make it easier for the jars to get a good seal. Simmering the lids will also sterilize them.
You’ll need an inch of water covering the lids, and make sure the lids aren’t stacked or overlapping so that they heat evenly.
Put a tablespoon of lemon juice in the bottom of each jar; this will prevent botulism and keep your puree fresh.
You can also use citric acid instead.
Bring the puree to a simmer. Put the puree in a pot and warm it on the stove at low or medium heat. Stir it occasionally so that the puree doesn’t stick to the bottom of your pot. After ten minutes, check the temperature and take the puree off the heat when it reaches around 165 ° Fahrenheit.
Using heated puree in the canning process removes any air and gives you a tighter seal.
Pour the heated puree into the jars. Leave a little bit of space between the puree and the top of your jars.
This gap is called Headspace and allows room for the puree to expand as it cools without breaking the seal.
Seal your jars and store them in your fridge or freezer.
In this brief guide, we answered the question, ‘How to store tomato puree?’. We discussed two methods to store tomato puree and the safety procedure that accompanies them.
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Reference:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wikihow.com/Preserve-Tomato-Puree%3famp=1
