"Before tomatoes reach their peak, they lack that signature zing, delivering a bland watery bite that doesn't offer much flavor. To make out of season tomatoes shine, Lofaso will sprinkle both sugar and salt onto them ahead of time and then leave them out on the counter to marinate. "Never put tomatoes in the refrigerator," she shared with conviction. The cold temperatures mess with the texture and flavor of tomatoes, resulting in the mealy bite we all dread when biting into a tomato."
"It might seem like salt and sugar would work against each other, but they both play an important role when bringing tomatoes to life. The sugar cuts the acidity, while the salt draws out moisture, creating a more structured bite while bringing out natural, juicy flavors. Nothing can replace sugar's job here, but the necessary acidity can be added with other tangy ingredients like red wine vinegar or pineapple juice."
Place unripe tomatoes in a brown paper bag in a warm spot to accelerate ripening. Lightly sprinkle tomatoes with a pinch of salt and a little sugar to enhance tenderness and sweetness. Salt draws out moisture, firming the bite, while sugar reduces perceived acidity and brings out juiciness. Refrigeration harms tomato texture and flavor, producing a mealy bite. If additional acidity is needed instead of sugar, add tangy ingredients such as red wine vinegar or pineapple juice. Allow tomatoes to sit on the counter to marinate for improved out-of-season flavor.
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