Grandpa's secret: Turning moldy tomatoes into garden gold

Tomatoes spoil very quickly; they are extremely delicate. We may not buy them by the pound like in the summer, but it's important to store even a single tomato properly. If mold appears, it's worth knowing my grandfather's method.

Spoiled vegetables can be useful in the garden. If mold appears only on the skin, their seeds can still be used for planting, and you'll enjoy the taste of vegetables in the next season. Here are two of my grandfather's methods:

          
1. First, extract the seeds from the moldy tomato. Discard the rest.
2. Then place the seeds in a jar, cover them with water, and set aside for a few days. This will start the fermentation process that removes the gelatinous coating. This is important because this part of the vegetable can hinder germination.
3. After about 3-5 days, the seeds should be ready. Rinse them thoroughly and dry them completely. Then store them in a safe place until spring.

This vegetable is also perfect for preparing fertilizer. Just throw the moldy tomatoes onto the compost, and soon, combined with other plant scraps, they will create a natural nutrient. In this case, you must adhere to strict composting rules to avoid spreading mold to other components of the fertilizer. Above all, you need to thoroughly shred the waste, ensure proper air circulation, and regularly dust the compost with lime or dolomite.

It's better not to put tomatoes in the refrigerator, as the humidity there accelerates mold growth. Storing them on the kitchen counter or in an open bowl allows for even ripening, keeping them fresh for a few days. That's why ventilated containers work well. Mesh baskets or ceramic bowls with holes are ideal solutions, as they prevent moisture buildup, which causes rotting. Another way to extend the freshness of tomatoes is to store them with their stems intact. They help maintain the good condition of tomatoes and delay the wilting process.