With tomato prices still on higher side, I minised the use of tomato to recipes and they do come out well without it. Wherever tanginess is necessary, I just add a bit of amchur (dried mango) powder.
Refrigerating tomatoes extends its life to some extent. Freezing extends it further. I cut them into halves and freeze them either in a plastic container or in a ziplock bag. Whenever required, I grate them and use.
Grating a frozen tomato is so easyyyyyyyyyy!!!! you can do that in a jiffy and use it for sambar, rasam, curries, rice and wherever required in special gravies. Infact I enjoy grating them as the frozen ones are so crisp. Less messy too.