Counter Ripening Question

[Qweniden]

Is there a general consensus on if this tastes as good as leaving them on the vine?

Is there a best way to counter ripen? In a bag? In the sun on a window seal?

Thanks!

[Timmah!]

I just set 'em on the counter, out of the sun.
They ripen within a couple few days.

[Qweniden]

Thanks. So they can have sun but just not direct sun?

[TomatoDon]

Refer to the thread, "I cooked my yellow cherries."

[habitat_gardener]

I don't have a counter, so I put mine in plastic clamshells (with air holes) as I pick them. I can stack the clamshells without crushing the tomatoes. I usually keep them there until they're near ripe, then put them on a plate on the table.

I pick my tomatoes when they're blushing because I don't get to the garden every day, and I get occasional bird or squirrel bites.

If the tomatoes are blushing, I'd keep them out of the sun. Once they're off the vine, I don't think extra heat is good for them.

[TomatoDon]

I hate to sound like the Village Idiot, but what's a plastic clamshell?

[Timmah!]

Handy idea!

[TomatoDon]

One could see if one would only open one's eyes. I see those things every day and never even thought about a name for them.

Thanks Timmah!

[Timmah!]

My pleasure. Plenty of things obvious to others with which I've not made associations, I'm sure.

[habitat_gardener]

Originally Posted by TomatoDon

I hate to sound like the Village Idiot, but what's a plastic clamshell?

They're the pint and quart containers that berries, tomatoes, and sometimes other delicate foods are sold in. They're called punnets in England. I buy blueberries in them and get them from other people and keep reusing them (for years!) until they fall apart. (The wintersowing site also talks about using containers like this to start seeds in the winter, but I like larger containers for that.)

http://www.formtex.com/sh/packaging/...sket.html?js=n

[TomatoDon]

Good info. From now on when I'm watching Jeopardy and "plastic clamshells" or "punnet's" are mentioned I can punch right in ahead of the others.

[danwigz]

If I'm hankering for a ripe tomato (like I am now, they are starting to ripen, but I want them NOW lol) I place the tomato between a few sheets of newspaper, I've heard that is supposed to help ripen them quicker.

Otherwise, I haven't noticed any substantial difference between off or on the vine.

Danwigz