Don’t Throw Away Rotten Tomatoes: 3 Surprising Ways to Turn Them Into Treasure

1. Make Homemade Tomato Sauce or Paste

Even tomatoes that are too soft to eat fresh can shine when cooked down.

How to do it:

• Remove any completely rotten spots and wash the tomatoes.
• Chop them and simmer on low heat with garlic, onions, herbs, and a pinch of salt.
• Once thickened, blend for a smooth sauce or cook further to make tomato paste.

This is a great way to reduce food waste while creating a rich, flavorful base for pasta, pizza, or stews.

2. Use as Natural Plant Fertilizer

Overripe tomatoes are packed with nutrients that plants love.

How to do it:

• Chop the tomatoes and bury them in your garden soil or add them to your compost pile.
• They’ll decompose and release essential nutrients like potassium and phosphorus, enriching your soil naturally.

Your garden will thank you, and you’ll be turning kitchen scraps into green gold!

3. Create a DIY Tomato Cleaner

Tomatoes contain natural acids that can help clean and polish surfaces like copper, stainless steel, and even kitchen utensils.

How to do it:

• Cut a slightly overripe tomato in half.
• Rub it gently on tarnished surfaces or stains, then rinse with water.
• The natural acidity works as a gentle, eco-friendly cleaner.

It’s a surprising and sustainable way to put those soft tomatoes to work outside the kitchen.