How to Ripen Tomatoes In A Box

My tomato plants did really well this summer, but having planted them so late we were stuck at the beginning of September with a ton of green tomatoes.  They were the size they should be, but had not ripened yet.

I was really sad that I wasn't going to get to enjoy the rest of them, and then someone mentioned that you can ripen them off the vine.

To do so - they need to be fully grown.

You will need a box and a banana (one that has started to get spots on it)

Place the tomatoes in the cardboard box in a single layer, add the banana and close the box.  As the banana ripens, it lets off gas which helps to ripen the green tomatoes.

I wasn't sure if it was going to work, but figured it was worth a try.  I added my tomatoes and banana to the box and closed it (it had a small slit open where the flaps came together on top) and waited a few days.

I opened the box and found that the tomatoes were starting to ripen.  I closed it and checked the next day and 1 was ready.  A few days later I had 2 more ready and now I am waiting on 4, which I think should be ready around Monday or Tuesday.