Seed from (briefly) Boiled Tomatoes

Bitwise Gamgee · July 11, 2007

Greetings Tomatovillians! Is it ok to save seeds squeezed from a tomato that has been briefly placed in boiling water (to aid in the peeling of the skin)? I often peel the tomatoes and remove the seeds when preparing them for salsa. If I knew the seeds are not harmed by the boiling water dip, I would like to save them. Thanks! Bitwise

bcday · July 12, 2007

I'd do a germination test with a few seeds to make sure they're OK, especially if you plan to trade them.

feldon30 · July 12, 2007

This came up for me a couple of weeks ago and I had the same concern. I have not done a germination test, but now I cut a hole in the bottom of the tomato and squeeze into a cup. It only gets about half the seeds, but if you don't squeeze too vigorously, it doesn't ruin the texture.

**nctomatoman** · July 12, 2007

As long as you just do the boiling water brief dip and then slip off the skins, I've done the experiment - when we can, I do seed saving - and germination has been fine. The biggest issue you can actually run into is that it is easier to get stray seed mixed in when you are processing different varieties at the same time. Don't forget that the tomato's outer walls are quite insulating - the seeds in the interior don't experience nearly the boiling temp. (and that seeds are often heat treated for disease by some producers, anyway).

July 11, 2007	#1
Bitwise Gamgee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: TN z6 Posts: 103	Seed from (briefly) Boiled Tomatoes Greetings Tomatovillians! Is it ok to save seeds squeezed from a tomato that has been briefly placed in boiling water (to aid in the peeling of the skin)? I often peel the tomatoes and remove the seeds when preparing them for salsa. If I knew the seeds are not harmed by the boiling water dip, I would like to save them. Thanks! Bitwise

July 12, 2007	#3
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	This came up for me a couple of weeks ago and I had the same concern. I have not done a germination test, but now I cut a hole in the bottom of the tomato and squeeze into a cup. It only gets about half the seeds, but if you don't squeeze too vigorously, it doesn't ruin the texture. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

July 12, 2007	#4
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	As long as you just do the boiling water brief dip and then slip off the skins, I've done the experiment - when we can, I do seed saving - and germination has been fine. The biggest issue you can actually run into is that it is easier to get stray seed mixed in when you are processing different varieties at the same time. Don't forget that the tomato's outer walls are quite insulating - the seeds in the interior don't experience nearly the boiling temp. (and that seeds are often heat treated for disease by some producers, anyway). __________________ Craig

July 12, 2007	#2
bcday Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NY z5 Posts: 1,205	I'd do a germination test with a few seeds to make sure they're OK, especially if you plan to trade them.