Roma Tomatoes
Roma tomatoes are variety of tomatoes known for their oblong, plump shape with shiny, red skin and firm, meaty flesh. Roma tomatoes can be red to yellow in color when they are mature, depending on the cultivar involved, and their moisture content varies, depending on the conditions where they were grown. While a Roma tomato does not have a great deal of flavor, it does have a very long shelf life.

Storage
» Store in the dry storage area of the kitchen. Chilling injury (water-soaked blisters, shrivel and mushy, mealy flesh) can occur if held for more than 1 day, un-protected, in a walk-in cooler.
» Store in a cool dry, well ventilated place. Temperatures over 80 degrees will cause rapid acceleration of decay.
» Remove all decayed or moldy tomatoes immediately from the case.
» Keep tomatoes and their cases dry away and from moisture sources. Moisture will accelerate mold.
» If tomatoes must be stored in the walk-in cooler, place tomatoes into a lexan container with lid and plan to use within 48 hours.

Handling
» Follow good rotation practices, first shipments received should be used first.
» Roma tomatoes are normally shipped pink to light red. Purchase ahead to allow the product to ripen at least 24 hours.
» Expected shelf life of fully-ripened Roma tomatoes is 2-3 days.
» Handle with care, do not drop, dump or shake the case, tomatoes will bruise easily.
» Avoid placing the case or raw product on non-sanitized kitchen counter tops to help prevent the potential for cross contamination.

Preparation
» Prepare as needed. Try not to use product from the previous day.
» Select the ripest tomatoes first.
» Roma tomatoes need to be washed in a sanitary rinse, immediately prior to preparation.
» Store prepped product in refridgerator