How to Dice Roma Tomatoes Fast and Easy? Looking for a more efficient way to dice your Roma tomatoes? We hear you; if you are here, you probably know by now that there is a right and a wrong way when it comes to dicing. You may have wasted precious time when dicing tomatoes for years, but you’ll soon discover the process can be much faster. So if you’ve been wondering how to dice Roma tomatoes, continue reading to find all your answers.
Tomatoes are one of those staple veggies that go well with nearly every recipe. In addition to its yummy taste, tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K source.
As good as tomatoes are, dicing tomatoes is a whole other situation. Dicing takes a bit of practice, so don’t get discouraged if, at first, you find it a little troublesome. That said, dicing Roma tomatoes doesn’t have to be a pain when you utilize the right technique and the right tools. So if you are thinking about dicing tomatoes for your next tomato paste, find out the right ways to dice Roma tomatoes.
How to Dice Roma Tomatoes
Method 1
- Secure your cutting board by placing a wet paper towel underneath.
- Insert a paring knife at an angle to remove the stem. A tomato shark also works.
- Roma tomato has a central seed pod. Remove the seed pod
- Cut the slices in half again
- Alternatively, you can use a pairing knife by quartering the tomato and removing the seed pod.
- Using a sharp knife, slice and then dice the tomatoes.
- For more efficiency, make one motion all at once
Method 2
- Begin with a clean, firm Roma tomato.
- Cut the tomato in half lengthwise.
- Turn the tomato halves cut-side down to anchor them, then make several vertical slices in each tomato.
- Rotate the slices 90 degrees and slice downward in the opposite direction to create a dice.
- Repeat with as many tomatoes as you need.
Method 3
- Remove any stems by cutting off the top of the tomato.
- Cut the tomato in half length-wise.
- Place the tomato halves cut side down for stability.
- Make vertical, evenly spaced slices in each tomato. Choose to cut thick or thin strips based on how small or large you want the dice to be.
- Rotate the slices 90 degrees and slice in the opposite direction creating a dice.
Method 4: Most Recommended
- Wash the tomato
- Remove the top. Near the top of a Roma tomato, there is a small stem. You can skip this step if you don’t mind the tomato stem.
- Cut the tomato in half.
- Cut the tomato into vertical slices.
- Turn the two halves of your tomato sideways so you’re cutting them length-wise.
- Make vertical cuts to cut the tomato into thin strips of roughly even sizes
- Dice the tomato slices
- Turn your strips sideways and make a series of cuts running across the strips length-wise.
- This should cut your Roma tomatoes into small cubes
- When you’re finished, you’ll be left with a pile of diced Roma tomatoes
Common Questions About Roma Tomatoes
What is a Roma tomato?
A Roma tomato, or plum tomato, is a paste tomato. Paste tomatoes, like Roma tomatoes, generally have a thicker fruit wall, fewer seeds, and a denser but more grainy flesh. Roma tomatoes tend to be oblong and heavy for their size.
They also tend to be firmer than a non-Roma or paste tomato. Roma tomatoes ripen at one time rather than continue through the season. While they can be eaten raw, they are at their best when they are cooked.
How to grow Roma tomatoes?
All tomatoes need plenty of water, soil rich in organic material, and need to be staked up off the ground for the best fruit production. Roma tomatoes are not the exception.
- Prepare the soil of your tomato bed by adding compost or a slow-release fertilizer.
- Once you plant your Roma tomato plants, water them at least once weekly.
- Once your Roma tomato plants are 6-12 inches (15 to 30.5 cm.) high, start staking the Roma tomatoes up off the ground.
When is a Roma tomato ripe?
When dealing with Roma tomatoes, your safest bet to know if these are ripe is to focus on their color. Once the tomato is red all the way from the bottom to the top, it is ready for picking.
What is the difference between dicing other tomatoes and Roma tomatoes?
Like a Roma, dicing an oblong tomato doesn’t require you to core the tomato before setting up the dice.
Is there a special knife for Dicing tomatoes?
Actually, a tomato knife is specially designed to tackle the thin skins and fragile insides of tomatoes. They are typically serrated, which allows the knife to move through the skin quickly and with minimal pressure.
Recommended Products
1. Messermeister Handcrafted Serrated Roma Tomato Knife
The Messermeister Petite Messer Knife Line is designed to be the perfect weight and size for handling all the light-duty chopping, slicing, and dicing of smaller fruits, vegetables, meats, and bread.
The ergonomic handles provide a secure, comfortable grip, and the thin, razor-sharp blades are cut precisely. Each fine-edge prep blade is lightweight, maneuverable, and the right size for today’s quick prep culinary artists.
The Messermeister 4.5″ Serrated Tomato Knife is one of our most popular specialty knives! With ease and precision, this knife slices food with a tough exterior and a softer middle, such as tomatoes or salami. It includes a matching plastic sheath for chefs on the go and storage protection.
2. ZYLISS Serrated Paring Knife to Dice Roma Tomatoes
The Zyliss Stainless Steel Serrated Paring Knife is a small, stylish must-have for your kitchen. For fine blade work, such as dicing tomatoes or paring fruit, the Zyliss Paring Knife is the go-to paring knife of choice. Soft-skinned produce from tomatoes to stone fruit can get a clean cut with this state-of-art, top-grade knife.
The serrated blade can slice through tougher-skinned foods like salami with ease. Constructed of superior quality Japanese steel and anchored by a soft touch, comfort-grip handle.
Maximize your precision and control with the Zyliss Paring Knife. This knife will inject some fun into your kitchen with its textured, soft grip and colored handle. Each knife has a blade cover that matches the red handle and protects the blade during storage.
3. Rada Cutlery Tomato Slicing Knife 8-7/8 Knife to Dice Roma Tomatoes
Pros
- Slice tomatoes and veggies
- Dual-serrated steel blade
- Brushed aluminum handle
Cons
- The knife should not be washed in the dishwasher.
Dicing tomatoes can be messy, but with the Rada Cutlery Tomato Slicing Knife, it’s easy and mess-free. This knife is designed specifically for slicing tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. The serrated edge allows you to cut through the skin of the tomato without damaging the fruit inside.
The sharp blade makes quick work of diced tomatoes, and the comfortable handle ensures a safe and easy grip. With the Rada Cutlery Tomato Slicing Knife, dicing tomatoes is a breeze.
4. Cestari Advanced Ceramic 6 Inches Knife to dice Roma Tomatoes
The Cestari Knife is a unique ceramic knife that can easily make razor-thin slices. The secret to the knife’s success is the material it is made from. Ceramic knives are made from a type of clay that is fired in a kiln at very high temperatures.
This makes them incredibly sharp and able to hold their edge much longer than traditional steel knives.
If you are looking for a knife to help you dice Roma tomatoes easily, then the Cestari Knife is the perfect choice. The sharp blade and comfortable grip will make it a pleasure to use. Order your Cestari Knife today and start enjoying perfectly diced tomatoes tomorrow!
Pros
- Includes Foam Box with Magnetic Closure.
- Ergonomic Grip
- Never Needs Sharpening
- Money Back Guarantee
Cons
- The blade is too Wide.
- Expensive
5. Victorinox 3.25 Inch Swiss Classic Paring with Serrated Edge, Spear Point Knife to Dice Roma Tomatoes
Pros
- Multipurpose.
- Easy Grip
Cons
- Some find the blade is not long enough.
The Victorinox 3.25 Inch Swiss Classic Paring Knife with Serrated Edge, Spear Point, Black, 3.25″ is a knife that can dice Roma tomatoes quickly and easily. The serrated edge makes short work of the skin of the tomato, and the spear point ensures a clean cut without any squishing. Thanks to the ergonomic handle, the knife is also easy to hold and control.
If you’re looking for a knife that can easily handle Roma tomatoes, then the Victorinox Blac is a great option. It’s sharp, comfortable to use, and will make quick work of any tomato-based dish. So why not give it a try? You might just be surprised at how much easier it is to dice tomatoes with this knife.
Is it ok to use any serrated knife?
While serrated knives tend to cut tomatoes better than a plain edge knife (unless it is super sharp), not all serrated knives will do the trick. For instance, steak knives and other general-use knives tend to be too thick to execute a paper-thin tomato slice.
What is the best knife to dice tomatoes?
Here is an excellent option:
ZYLISS Serrated Paring Knife
A serrated paring knife perfectly controls the cutting and slicing of tomatoes, bread, and vegetables. Features a high-carbon stainless steel blade that retains a super sharp edge and easily re-sharpens for long-lasting use.
It has an ergonomic handle with a soft-touch rubber grip, reducing hand fatigue and allowing precision and control. A safety blade guard protects the knife for travel and storage when camping or tailgating.
Features:
- Superior quality Japanese steel
- Dishwasher safe
- Hand wash recommended
- Soft-touch
Additional Tips on How to Dice Roma Tomatoes
- The little stem end usually doesn’t amount to anything. But lopping it off won’t hurt anything either, so do whichever way you prefer. Some people don’t bother cutting off the stem, as it’s so small it’s largely unnoticeable.
- How many slices you make depends on how small or large you want the dice to be.
- Wash each Roma tomato under the faucet, turning it as necessary to wash the full surface and remove dirt and debris. If the Roma tomato has any stickers on it, remove them before dicing.
- Cut the tomato length-wise to cut it in half. Cut it with one hand and hold it in place with the other. Try to keep the two halves of the tomato in roughly even sizes.
- As Roma tomatoes are smaller than regular tomatoes, be careful when using your fingers to hold the tomato in place. Use only the tips of your fingers, and be extra careful to keep your fingers away from the knife.
- You aim to keep your cuts the same length so your diced tomatoes are roughly the same size.
