Spotlight on Tomatoes

You can find tomatoes in the fresh produce section or canned. Watch this video on how to buy, store and prepare tomatoes.

Recipes:

School Garden Salsa
Summer Stuffed Tomatoes
Chicken Power Wrap
Watermelon and Tomato Salad
Baked Fish with Tomatoes, Greens, and Mushrooms
Italian-Style Vegetables
3-Can Chili


Did you know:

• That tomatoes are in the same plant family as potatoes, eggplants, and peppers?
• The word tomato stems from the word tomalt, which was what the fruit was called in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs?
• That when tomatoes were brought to Europe from Mexico and Central America, they were at first thought to be poisonous?
• That there are many thousands of varieties of tomatoes?

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables around and are important to many different cultures. They are a major source of the antioxidant lycopene, which can help reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. Tomatoes are also full of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. There are many sizes, shapes, and even colors of tomatoes.

Tips for Buying and Storing Tomatoes

• When at the store, you can buy fresh or canned tomatoes. Soups, chilis, and pasta sauces are all ideal for canned tomatoes. Look for cans that say “Low Sodium” or “No Salt Added”.
• When selecting fresh tomatoes, look for ones without bruises, wrinkles, or cracks. 
• You can also find tomatoes at farmers’ markets in Maryland, usually starting in mid-June or July.
• Once home, you can place any unripe tomatoes on the counter, stem-side down, as they continue to ripen.
• Any fully ripe tomatoes though can be placed in the refrigerator for a few days. Make sure to wash them well before using.

Ideas for Serving Tomatoes

Tomatoes on sandwiches or in salads are classic, but there are endless uses for tomatoes. Some great recipe ideas are listed above. Get creative and test out some new ways to use your tomatoes!

Small cherry or grape tomatoes are great for snacking.

• Oval plum tomatoes are better for cooking
• Larger, round tomatoes are best for slicing or dicing for salads