Harvest almost fully ripe fruits for sauce?

radiometer · August 5, 2015

I've got a pound of pink oxhearts that I would really love to cook into a sauce today. I need a bit more. There are a several fruits on the plant that are almost fully ripe, just a bit of orange on the shoulders. Can I pick these to use for a pasta sauce, or will they not taste correct.

I realize this may not get me answers in time, but I figured it couldn't hurt trying.

Mods, please move this if it is not posted in the appropriate forum.

AdrianaG · August 5, 2015

I know it's recommended to throw in some un ripe fruit when making jelly and jam, but I would hesitate to waste good tomatoes on sauce until they are fully ripe.

I have one paste tomato plant which is producing lightly. I plan to freeze as they ripen, skin and all, adding to the same ziplock bag. When it is worthy of making a batch I will thaw them out.

zipcode · August 6, 2015

It's fine. One year, due to continuous rain tomatoes were splitting badly. I had to to something or else they would have rotten. Sauce turned out fine really. Maybe a bit more sour.

ginger2778 · August 6, 2015

It is fine. I've done it often.

August 5, 2015	#1
radiometer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: central coast, CA Posts: 4	Harvest almost fully ripe fruits for sauce? I've got a pound of pink oxhearts that I would really love to cook into a sauce today. I need a bit more. There are a several fruits on the plant that are almost fully ripe, just a bit of orange on the shoulders. Can I pick these to use for a pasta sauce, or will they not taste correct. I realize this may not get me answers in time, but I figured it couldn't hurt trying. Mods, please move this if it is not posted in the appropriate forum. Last edited by radiometer; August 5, 2015 at 04:18 PM.

August 5, 2015	#2
AdrianaG Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Georgia Posts: 153	I know it's recommended to throw in some un ripe fruit when making jelly and jam, but I would hesitate to waste good tomatoes on sauce until they are fully ripe. I have one paste tomato plant which is producing lightly. I plan to freeze as they ripen, skin and all, adding to the same ziplock bag. When it is worthy of making a batch I will thaw them out. Last edited by AdrianaG; August 5, 2015 at 08:45 PM.

August 6, 2015	#3
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	It's fine. One year, due to continuous rain tomatoes were splitting badly. I had to to something or else they would have rotten. Sauce turned out fine really. Maybe a bit more sour.

August 6, 2015	#4
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	It is fine. I've done it often.