The Seeds are viable but that isn't the only question. The reason for fermenting the seeds is because there are natural diseases that get passed along from year to year via the gel sac that is attached to the seed. Just drying the gelsac does not eliminate these diseases.
Also once many of these diseases get established in your garden they will be there for decades, and you'll have to move if you want to grow tomatoes.

Agree they are still viable but you will have to soak them some more any way to get the gel off and to ferment them so just soak the paper plate parts they are stuck to.

There may not be enough gel left to get fermenting going now but at least it will get them off the plate. ;)

Then hop over to the Seed Saving Forum here and browse through the many FAQS there on how to save seeds, ferment when needed, and how to disinfect them too. Lots of great info there.

Dave

PS: for future reference I find that using coffee filters rather then plates works better - no sticking.

thanks fellas.

DIGDIRT, exactly how do you save your tomato seeds? do you squeeze the gel and seeds in the coffee filter, then let it ferment, then rinse them, in the same filter ?

Hey Diclemeg,

I dropped you an e-mail with a guide to saving tomato seed.
Enjoy!

George
Tahlequah, OK

DIGDIRT, exactly how do you save your tomato seeds? do you squeeze the gel and seeds in the coffee filter, then let it ferment, then rinse them, in the same filter ?

No the coffee filters are just for drying. The seeds and gel have to ferment first for several days in a closed container of some type with a bit of water. I use disposable plastic butter dishes for fermenting.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Saving FAQs and Instructions