How to Dice a Roma Tomato (Starring my Favorite Knife)

When I try to select everyday cooking steps for inclusion into the “How-To” section of The Pioneer Woman Cooks, I close my eyes and try to remember all the wacky ways I used to do different things in the kitchen…and how bright the lightbulbs were once they finally went on. Because let’s face it: we’re not all born with a natural ability to slice or chop or chiffonade. At least I wasn’t. We either have to learn it from an outside source or, in my case, spend a lot of years doing it wrong before I finally figure it out.

Dicing tomatoes falls into that category for me. You know what I did for years? First I’d cut off the end of the tomato and squeeze out all the innards into the sink; I guess I thought they were poisonous or something, as I’d squeeze their ever-loving guts out. Then I’d hold the tomato in my hand standing straight up. Then I’d slice downward, making about four slices. Then—still in my hand—I’d rotate the tomato 90 degrees and make four more slices. Then I’d lay the entire tomato—still intact but sliced up—on its side on a cutting board and slice downward to dice it up.

While this did result in a tomato dice, it was extremely awkward and took way longer than it needed to take. But when I became addicted to pico de gallo a few years ago, I had to learn a more efficient way of dicing up a bunch of tomatoes, fast.

Here’s how I do it:

Begin with a clean, firm Roma (also known as Plum) tomato.

If you desire, lop off the top. Please note, however, that I don’t generally even bother with this. 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.

In any event, we won’t be “seeding” the tomatoes. I think with smaller tomatoes like this, it’s totally unnecessary.

Cut the tomato in half lengthwise.

Remember this knife. It’ll come up later.

Turn the tomato halves cut-side down to anchor them, then make several vertical slices in each tomato. How many slices you make depends on how small or large you want the dice to be.

Next, rotate the slices 90 degrees and slice downward in the opposite direction to create a dice.

And yes, normally my left hand would be supporting the end of the tomato, but someone has to take the photos around here.

And that’s it!

Repeat with as many tomatoes as you need. I diced these six tomatoes in ninety seconds flat.

I used a stopwatch.

No. Not really.
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Okay. If you sat through this quickie lesson on dicing tomatoes, you probably noticed the knife I used:

It’s the Wusthof “Santoku” knife. And here’s what I need to tell you about it:

I can’t function in the kitchen without it. Between dicing tomatoes, cutting up a raw chicken, slicing cinnamon roll dough, and chopping onions, pecans, fresh herbs, and peppers, this knife has replaced every knife in my knife block. If someone came to my house and removed this knife, all my cooking would screech to a halt. In the kitchen, it’s pretty much everything to me.

And I want you to have it!

Today, because it’s Friday, because you humor me through my menial How-To’s, because it’s thirteen degrees outside, because it’s 2009, because my hair is flat and lifeless today, and because I like you, I’m giving away ten (10) Wusthof Santoku knives to ten separate winners. I want Wusthof Santoku knives in every kitchen in the world!

Or something like that.

To enter today’s contest, just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:

What specific How-To, cooking step, or recipe would you like to see on The Pioneer Woman Cooks in 2009?

Of course, I’ll continue sharing the everyday dishes I make, as I make them, but I’d also like to know what recipes you’d like to see me massacre! I promise to peruse the list of entries and take notes. I always love your ideas.

By the way, are you aware that “peruse” means “to read carefully?” Many people believe it means “to skim.”

I’m just glad I’m here to set the record straight on misunderstood vocabulary words and incorrect tomato dicing methods. What a legacy I’m leaving!

Okay, back to the contest:

One entry per person, please. IMPORTANT: if you don’t see your entry appear immediately, please don’t enter again. It’ll show up shortly.

No entries after 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time Friday.

Number of entries will be divided by ten, and a winner chosen from each group.
Winners will be announced Saturday.
Good luck!

***Entry period is over. Thanks for your wonderful suggestions and requests, everyone. I’ve been taking copious notes! Winners will be announced tomorrow.***