Picture this: your garden is filled with red, ripe tomatoes. You’re excited to pick them and taste how yummy they are, only to find out they are split right down the middle.
I was in the exact same place and, of course, I couldn’t resist the temptation to take a bite. But as I hesitated, I couldn’t help but wonder: is it safe to eat a split tomato? And more importantly, would I regret it later?
So, I did some digging (pun intended) to find out the truth. After all, I couldn’t let those beautiful tomatoes go to waste without knowing for sure.
Here’s what I found:
Yes, It’s Safe To Eat Split Tomatoes (For The Most Part)
Generally, small cracks on the surface of a tomato’s skin are harmless, and you can still eat them. I discovered this when my homegrown tomatoes started splitting. I quickly picked them, and it turns out they’re still good to use if you harvest them immediately.
You know, these split tomatoes are perfect for recipes where appearance doesn’t matter, like soups, jams, salsas, and juices.
Be cautious if the cracks expose the flesh and seeds. This exposure can attract pests like fruit worms, which burrow into the fruit through the cracks. If you spot any critters in your split tomatoes, throw them away.
When the inside of a tomato is exposed, fruit flies also swarm in to get a piece of your tomatoes (can you blame them?), and these are extremely harmful because they can lead to bacterial and mold growth.
If your tomato appears slimy, moldy, smelly, or is infested with insects, it’s safer to compost it rather than risk getting sick. Trust your instincts on this one!
Also Watch Out For These 7 Tomato Plant Pests Or They’ll Completely Destroy Your Harvest
But Wait, Why Do Tomatoes Split In The First Place?
Experts say that tomatoes crack up when their skin can’t keep up with the flesh’s growth. The juiciness has its price, I guess.
I’ve noticed that sudden temperature swings also impact tomato growth. For instance, warm sunny days followed by chilly nights can make tomatoes expand quickly, causing the skin to burst.
Turns out, weather (also) impacts water conditions. Heavy or sudden rainfall can make the tomato’s interior swell, leading to skin splits.
While we can’t control the weather, our gardening habits make a big difference.
A good example is inconsistent watering – soaking the plants one day and neglecting them the next causes uneven growth and cracking.
So, what is the key takeaway from all this? Keeping a steady watering routine, of course!
While you still can eat split tomatoes, it’s always better to eat ones that are not cracked. Steer clear of those that are infested and make sure to compost them properly!
Find out more information here: 7 Unexpected Reasons Your Tomatoes Are Splitting And Cracking On The Vine