By Joanairey
Middlesex, United Kingdom
I have a number of tomatoes left over from the summer that are still green. Most of them look very healthy. Will they turn red now and if not, is there any way I can bring them on?? They are kept in a warm, bright kitchen. I don't actually want to make any green chutney with them this time.
- 2 Nov, 2018
Answers
I think the contention is either place them on a sunny window sill or place them in a drawer wrapped in newspaper with a banana which will give off a gas which has a ripening effect on the unripe tomatoes.
2 Nov, 2018
Or you can use an already ripe tomato which will have the same effect. Once one has ripened try to leave it until another has, and then you can use one but leave one.
I spread mine on clean newspaper on the spare bed
2 Nov, 2018
banana or any ripe fruit will produce the ethylene gas that encourages ripening. we keep green toms in a bowl in the kitchen next to the fruit bowl. they ripen slowly through November.
last year we made a green tomato pie, it was sweetened and was very like apple pie. we ate it with a good cheddar cheese. neither of us eat chutney.
the gas also causes flowers to die quicker so don't but a vase of flowers next to a bowl of fruit.
2 Nov, 2018
Well now that's something I never thought of - thank you! I often put flowers near the fruit bowl
2 Nov, 2018
Make chutney with them I do
2 Nov, 2018
Thanks all of you. So a banana it is then. I think I have heard the same about an apple. Has anyone heard this?
2 Nov, 2018
any ripe fruit produces the gas so yes a ripe apple will also do it.
2 Nov, 2018
Thanks for this confirmation, Seaburngirl. I have now spoken to someone and they suggest a pear will also do the trick so like you say, maybe any ripe fruit!
3 Nov, 2018
I would still go for a tomato because it is smaller so less to waste!
3 Nov, 2018
I still have tomatoes ripening on the vine out back. The weather here is still warm enough. Those are the tastiest.
3 Nov, 2018
Put them in a drawer and close it. Just remember they are there. They will ripen quicker than you can eat them.
You dont need the Banana. Eat it.
4 Nov, 2018
Thanks again everyone and for this alternative suggestion, Dianebulley. I have now put a few in a drawer and the rest in a saucer with ripe pears. In fact the pears are now a little overripe but I don't suppose this matters. I can see that this is a very popular topic and a situation a lot of gardeners are in at the end of the summer season.
4 Nov, 2018
Lol, you don't need to waste a whole banana - just use the skin!
4 Nov, 2018
OK Steragram but the idea of one ripe tomato is also a good one provided one is available. At the moment they are all as green as one another. I am still surprised that it is now November and I have just picked another half dozen, probably the last.
4 Nov, 2018
Generally if the skin is shiny & glossy they stand a chance of ripening. They don't need light but adding a ripening banana can help. If the skin is slightly matt then they're the ones for cooking/preserving.
2 Nov, 2018