Image not available.

Fresh tomatoes should never be stored in the fridge. The refrigerator kills the texture of the tomato, turning its flesh mealy and grainy.

Tomatoes a little tough – a little orange? You can stare at it ’em long as you want but those tomatoes are not going to get any redder. To ripen tomatoes quickly, place them stem-up in a brown grocery bag. Fold the bag and seal it tightly, leaving approximately 4 inches above the tomatoes.

A tightly sealed bag will keep ethylene, a natural gas involved in the ripening process, in the bag allowing the tomatoes to ripen more quickly. Check the tomatoes daily until you’re satisfied with the results.