When tomatoes are fully ripe, their enzymes and antioxidants like lycopene are more active. This makes them an excellent base for homemade face masks that help to:
Reduce blemishes
, cleanse pores,
give natural shine,
fight pimples
Simply mash a ripe tomato, strain the pulp, and apply it to your clean face for 10 minutes. That’s it! A natural spa treatment right in your kitchen.
COMPOST: A GIFT FOR YOUR PLANTS
When the tomato is no longer edible or usable in cooking or personal care, it can still have one last mission: to become fertilizer.
Place the spoiled tomatoes in your compost bin.
Its high water and nutrient content accelerates the decomposition process.
It provides potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen: a premium food for your plants!
So if you have a garden or vegetable patch, you know what to do: your “ugly” tomatoes are worth their weight in gold!
A PERFECT BASE FOR COOKING
Overripe tomatoes are perfect for dishes where they are cooked or blended:
Bolognese sauce
Stews or casseroles
Lentils or stews
Shakshuka
Soups and creams
Their soft texture makes them easy to cook, and their intense flavor enhances any recipe. Plus, since they’re already ripe, you don’t need to add sugar to reduce the acidity. They’re a natural flavor enhancer!
ATTENTION! WHEN SHOULD YOU THROW THEM AWAY?
Not all overripe tomatoes are good. Avoid using:
Tomatoes with white or black mold;
with a strong putrid smell
; that drip thick liquid and smell bad;
that have worms or larvae.
If they have these signs, they’re no longer safe. But if they’re just soft, wrinkled, or have an ugly part you can cut off… they still have a lot to offer!
FUN FACT: DID YOU KNOW…?
The lycopene in tomatoes is more bioavailable when cooked.
Ripe tomatoes produce more juice and are ideal for fermentation.
In many cultures, they are used as a base for fermented foods and medicinal sauces.
In urban agriculture, ripe tomatoes are used to start new plants.
CONCLUSION: NOT ALL THAT IS RIPE IS LOST.
The next time you see a very soft tomato, before you throw it away… stop and think! It can become sauce, a face mask, fertilizer, or even a new plant.
Making the most of what seems like waste is not only economical, but also sustainable and wise.
