FoodReference.com Logo

FoodReference.com   (since 1999)

 

Home   |   FOOD ARTICLES   |   Food Trivia   |   Today_in_Food_History   |   Food_History_Timeline   |   Recipes   |   Cooking_Tips   |   Food_Videos   |   Food_Quotes   |   Who’s_Who   |   Culinary_Schools_&_Tours   |   Food_Trivia_Quizzes   |   Food_Poems   |   Free_Magazines   |   Food_Festivals_and_Events

Food Articles, News & Features Section

You are here > Home > Food Articles >

Vegetable Articles >  Tomato Varieties & Use

 

FREE Magazines
and other Publications

Free Professional and Technical Research, White Papers, Case Studies, Magazines, and eBooks

 

 

TOMATOES

See Also: Tomato Trivia;   Tomato Kitchen Tips;   Tomato Quotes
 

 

Currently, tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables eaten by Americans. Tomatoes are members of the fruit family, but they are served and prepared as a vegetable. This is why most people consider them a vegetable and not a fruit. They are high in vitamin C and also provide beta-carotene. The National Cancer Institute published a study that showed an association between consuming a diet rich in tomato-based foods and a decreased risk of prostate cancer.

Tomatoes contain large amounts of an antioxidant called lycopene, which may be responsible for this possible positive effect. Tomato paste and sauces contain a greater amount of lycopene, because they are more concentrated than fresh tomatoes.


CALIFORNIA TOMATOVarieties
There are thousands of tomato varieties. The most widely available varieties are classified in three groups: cherry, plum, and slicing tomatoes. A new sweet variety like the cherry tomato is the grape tomato, really wonderful to eat alone or in a salad.


CALIFORNIA TOMATOHow To Select
Cold temperatures damage tomatoes, so never buy tomatoes that are stored in a cold area. Choose plump tomatoes with smooth skins that are free from bruises, cracks, or blemishes. Depending on the variety, ripe tomatoes should be completely red or reddish-orange.


CALIFORNIA TOMATOStorage
Store tomatoes at room temperature (above 55 degrees) until they have fully ripened. This will allow them to ripen properly and develop good flavor and aroma. Try to store tomatoes out of direct sunlight, because sunlight will cause them to ripen unevenly. If you must store them for a longer period of time, place them in the refrigerator. Serve them at room temperature. Chopped tomatoes can be frozen for use in sauces or other cooked dishes.

Make Tomatoes Part of Your 5 A Day EAT 5 TO 9 A DAY

  • They add wonderful color, flavor, and texture to your favorite sandwich, salad, or omelet. 
  • They can be enjoyed stuffed, baked, stewed, or grilled. 
  • Try a broiled sliced tomatoes topped with basil leaves. 
  • Tomatoes make an excellent base for homemade soups or sauces and especially compliment pasta dishes. 
  • Tomatoes combine well with just about any type of food, such as, poultry, fish, rice, pasta, as well as other vegetables. 
  • Combine tomatoes with other vegetables to make a tasty side dish or snack.
     

RELATED ARTICLES

  Vegetable Articles   |   LETTUCE & LEAFY GREENS >>>   |   MUSHROOMS & FUNGI >>>   |   ALLIUM: ONIONS & LEEKS >>>   |   ROOTS & TUBERS >>>   |   SQUASH & GOURDS >>>   |   Okra, History & Facts   |   Okra, Types & Tips   |   Ackee, Akee, Achee   |   Alien Vegetables   |   Artichokes, Tips & Facts   |   Artichokes, All Choked Up   |   Asparagus   |   Asparagus, Herald of Spring   |   Avocado, Details & Varieties   |   Avocados, General & Recipes   |   Avocado History   |   Avocado Season in California   |   Beans, Fava Beans: The GB&U   |   Beans: Fresh Bean Varieties   |   Beans, A Hill of Beans & Recipes   |   Beans, Dried Black Turtle Beans   |   Black Eyed Peas   |   Bell Peppers   |   For Whom the Bell (Pepper) Tolls   |   Broccoli: Cabbage Sprout   |   Broccoli   |   When Did Brussels Sprout?   |   Brussels Sprouts, Selection & Preparation   |   Cabbage   |   Cactus, Prickly Pear   |   Cauliflower   |   Celery   |   Celery Root Remoulade   |   Chili Peppers, WHY are they hot?   |   Chili Peppers   |   Chiles, Some Like It Hot   |   Corn   |   Corn, A-Maize-ing II   |   Cranberries, Leaving Turkey Aside   |   Cucumbers, Facts & Varieties   |   Eggplant: Identity Crisis   |   Eggplant, Description & Tips   |   Eggplant (Aubergine) Season   |   Lentils   |   Peas   |   Peas in a Pod   |   Plantains   |   Poblano Chile Peppers   |   Purcell Mtn Farms   |   Rhubarb   |   Spinach   |   Sprouts, All About Sprouts   |   Sprouts, Types & Tips   |   Tamarillo, Tree Tomato   |   Tomatoes: Heirlooms & Recipes   |   Tomatoes, More History & Facts   |   Tomato Varieties & Use   |   Tomatillo  
  Home   |   About Us & Contact Us   |   Chef James Bio   |   Bibliography   |   Recipe Contests   |   Free Magazines+   |   Other Links  

Please feel free to link to any pages of FoodReference.com from your website.
For permission to use any of this content please E-mail: james@foodreference.com
All contents are copyright © 1990 - 2024 James T. Ehler and www.FoodReference.com unless otherwise noted.  All rights reserved.
You may copy and use portions of this website for non-commercial, personal use only.
Any other use of these materials without prior written authorization is not very nice and violates the copyright.
Please take the time to request permission.