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Tomatoes probably rank up there as the most popular plant grown in our vegetable gardens. Since most of us have grown tomatoes before, it’s not a surprise that they can make you sick. One of the more frequent issues is cracked tomatoes on the vine. When presented with this problem, it’s common to wonder about eating tomatoes that are split open. Are split tomatoes safe to eat? Let’s find out.
Cherry tomatoes are a delicious snack and ingredient. Their sweet flavor bursts in your mouth when you bite into them. But what if your precious cherry tomatoes have split open on the vine? Are they still safe to eat?
What Causes Cherry Tomatoes to Split?
Cherry tomatoes can split open for a few reasons:
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Irregular watering – Big fluctuations in soil moisture from drought to heavy rain can cause splitting. Cherries have thin, taut skins that burst when the fruit swells quickly after watering.
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Over-ripening – Left on the vine too long, cherries become overripe. Their skin loses elasticity and splits open.
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Genetics – Some varieties are more prone to splitting Look for “split-resistant” varieties if splitting is an ongoing problem.
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Weather extremes – Temperature swings and high winds can stress the tomato skin and cause splitting.
Preventing Split Cherry Tomatoes
To avoid splits, keep plants consistently watered, especially after dry spells. Pick fully ripe cherries promptly. Select split-resistant varieties. Stake and prune plants for good air circulation.
Mulch around the base of plants to maintain even soil moisture Drip irrigation works better than overhead watering
Are Split Cherry Tomatoes Safe To Eat?
For the most part, small cracks and splits on the surface of the skin are harmless, and you can still eat the tomato. Larger gashes that expose the inner flesh pose more of a safety risk.
Here are some guidelines on eating split cherry tomatoes
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Minor cracks – Cherries with small surface cracks or splits are fine to eat. Simply cut away any damaged bits.
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Large gashes – Deep splits that expose the inside of the tomato have a higher risk of contamination. It’s best to discard these.
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Old splits – Cherries that split and remain on the vine too long often get invaded by fungi and bacteria. Toss these for safety.
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Fresh splits – Pick freshly split tomatoes right away and use soon. Don’t leave them on the plant to worsen.
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When in doubt, throw it out – If you’re unsure about the safety of a tomato, be cautious and discard it.
Washing Split Cherry Tomatoes
Always wash cherry tomatoes just before eating, even if they look clean. Wash under cool running water and rub lightly to remove any dirt and debris. Damaged areas provide entry points for germs, so pay extra attention to cracks and splits.
Discard any that look rotten or moldy after washing. Refrigerate cleaned cherries and use within a couple days.
Using Split Cherry Tomatoes
While you’ll have to toss some splits, enjoy the ones you can salvage! Here are some ideas:
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Chop and add to fresh salads, salsas, bruschetta topping, pasta dishes, and pizzas. The splits won’t be as noticeable.
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Cook into sauces and soups. The high heat makes them safe to eat.
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Blend into gazpacho soup or tomato sauce. No one will know they were split!
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Roast cherry tomatoes whole, splits and all. Roasting brings out their sweetness.
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Pickle whole cherry tomatoes for a fun snack. The brine and vinegar help preserve them.
Avoid Canning Split Tomatoes
It’s best not to use split tomatoes for canned goods that will be shelf-stable. The National Center for Home Food Preservation explains that any produce with cracks, splits, or bruises should not be canned.
The cracks allow bacteria to enter and survive the canning process. Stick to unblemished tomatoes for canned goods stored at room temperature.
Enjoy Your Bounty!
Don’t let a few cracked cherry tomatoes prevent you from enjoying the harvest! With a bit of sorting and care, you can salvage many split tomatoes. Just take some common-sense safety precautions.
Inspect each tomato, cut away any yucky parts, keep refrigerated, and use promptly. With these guidelines, you’ll get the most out of your crop and reduce food waste!
About Cracked Tomatoes on the Vine
Usually, cracked tomatoes are caused by water fluctuations. Cracking occurs when it has been very dry and then suddenly rainstorms arrive. That’s just how nature works; all you can do is water the plant when it’s really dry. So, yes, cracking can also happen when the gardener (I’m not blaming!) forgets to water the tomato plants regularly and then all of a sudden remembers and pours a lot of water on them. When this happens, the tomato’s insides suddenly want to grow faster than its skin can keep up. This growth spurt results in split tomatoes. There are two types of cracking evident in split tomatoes. One is concentric and appears as rings around the stem end of the fruit. The other one is usually worse, with cracks that go all the way down the tomato from the stem to the sides.
Can You Eat Cracked Tomatoes?
You can eat this kind of cracked tomato because the cracks are usually small and fix themselves. Radial cracks are often deeper and can even split the fruit asunder. These deeper wounds open the fruit up to insect attack as well as fungus and bacterial infection. Since none of these sound very good, are these tomatoes that have been split safe to eat? If there looks like an infection or infestation, I would probably throw the fruit away to be safe. Still, it’s okay to eat tomatoes that are cracked open as long as it doesn’t look too bad, especially if you cut out the area around the crack. If your plan is to eat the tomatoes soon, it’s best to do it right away instead of letting them sit around. If you see a tomato that is starting to crack, you should pick it and let it finish ripening on the counter or windowsill. If you leave it on the vine, the cracking will get worse because the fruit is still taking in water.
Are split tomatoes safe to eat?
FAQ
Are cherry tomatoes still good if they split?
Why do some cherry tomatoes split?
Can you still eat wrinkly cherry tomatoes?
Can you eat half-ripe tomatoes?
Can you eat tomatoes split open?
If there looks like an infestation or infection, to be on the safe side, I would probably toss the offending fruit into the compost. That said, if it looks minimal, eating tomatoes that are split open is fine, especially if you cut out the area surrounding the crack.
Are there any problems with eating lots of cherry tomatoes?
Excessive consumption of cherry tomatoes can cause or worsen gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and negative digestive side effects. In addition, cherry tomatoes may contain a substance called solanine. This is an extremely toxic component if consumed in large quantities.
Are split Tomatoes safe to eat?
Split tomatoes are unsafe to eat when their flesh and seeds are exposed. At that point, there is a risk of infection from pests, such as fruit worms that feed on the fruit by burrowing in it through the crack. Chau adds that when the tomato’s interior is exposed, it could also attract pests like fruit flies, causing bacteria and mold to grow.
Do split Tomatoes go bad?
The closer to ripe the tomato is, the more likely it is to still ripen with a crack. “Green tomatoes with cracks are more likely to go bad on the vine than more ripe tomatoes that crack,” Edwards says. “Pay attention to any mold or fly activity when the fruit is still on the vine.” What Can I Do With Split Tomatoes? Harvest them immediately.
What should I do if my tomatoes split?
Time is also an important element. If you notice a split, try to pick the damaged fruit as soon as you are able to. Leaving it on the vine longer, outside in the sun, increases the risk of bacterial or fungal growth and infection. If you are able to save a few tomatoes that only have minor splits, first off, cheers to you!
Is it harmful to eat tomatoes with cottage cheese everyday for lunch during tomato season?
You can eat tomatoes with cottage cheese every day, although it is important to choose a low fat o fat-free cheese. Also, it is essential to vary the vegetables you consume every. Maybe you can add lettuce or arugula to the dish.