How to Dice a Tomato
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5
How to Dice a Tomato
Description
How to Dice a Tomato details the process of turning a whole tomato into small diced pieces. Starting with rinsing and drying the tomato, it instructs slicing away the core and seeds to avoid watery bits in the final dice. By cutting the tomato into slabs and then strip cuts before crosscutting, you get evenly sized tomato cubes. The careful handling preserves the tomato's shape without mushiness.
This diced tomato is useful as a fresh ingredient for a range of dishes, from Mexican toppings like sour cream and cilantro to pizza with fresh mozzarella and basil. The technique works best with medium-large, firm tomatoes to provide the ideal texture and size for many recipes.
For storage, diced tomatoes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days but tend to break down after. Flash freezing is recommended for longer preservation. Scooping out seeds helps reduce excess moisture that can affect a dish's consistency.
Ingredients
- 1 tomato
Instructions
- Rinse and scrub the tomato then dry thoroughly with a dish towel.
- Place the tomato on a cutting board, stem side-up. Place a well sharpened chef’s knife about ¼ to ½-inch to the right of the stem. Make a slice all of the way down to the base of the tomato.
- Rotate the tomato 90 degrees, with the stem side still facing up, and cut off this side of the tomato. Repeat this process until you have 4 slabs of tomato and the core with the seeds still attached. Discard the core.
- Using a spoon or the knife, brush away any seeds that still remain within the tomato slices.
- Lay one piece skin side-down onto the cutting board and make cuts approximately ¼ to ½-inch apart to get strips. Turn the strips and make additional cuts perpendicular to those that are roughly the same width apart. Repeat this process until all pieces of tomato have been diced.
Notes
- Diced tomatoes can be prepared up to one day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days before their texture begins to degrade.
- For longer storage, flash freeze tomato pieces on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to freezer-safe containers to keep for 6 to 9 months.
- Use medium-large, firm tomatoes for easier dicing and better texture retention.
- Remove seeds from tomato pieces to prevent watery dishes.
- These diced tomatoes work well as toppings for Mexican recipes or fresh pizzas.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 22 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 22kcal | 1% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 0.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.03g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.04g | 0% |
| Sodium | 6mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 292mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 1025IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 17mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 12mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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