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Availability
When planted in late spring tomato blossoms will grow into green fruit and will ripen red by mid-summer through September or the first frost.
Tomatoes are available year round but lack in taste during the off season.
Practical ideas when buying tomatoes
Bright red color, no bruises, or spots
Buy when they are light red in color and let them ripen after buying.
Tomato Storage Tips
Tomatoes can be stored at room temperature. They prefer warm temperatures and will ripen faster on the counter.
Cooking Tips
Chop, slice or pureed and enjoy in soups, stews, sauces, sandwiches or diced in salads, salsas, dips.
Tomato Nutrition Facts
Tomatoes are a source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. They are also high in Lycopene which helps fight heart disease and some cancers.
Recipes
Greek Salad
2-3 tomatoes, diced
2-3 cucumbers, diced
Black pitted olives
Soft cheese like feta
Olive oil
Pepper
Dice tomatoes and cucumbers and add a diced onion if desired. Toss salad ingredients together. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over and season with pepper. Mix well.
Fresh Salsa
4 to 5 Tomatoes cut and diced
1 med. onion
1 – Small can mild green chilies
2 – 3 Garlic cloves
Salt to taste
Avocados – Optional
Lemon or lime juice
Add cut tomatoes to a bowl, then add onion, 1 can of green chilies, 2 garlic cloves and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix well, add additional seasonings to taste. Add avocado if desired, 2 Tbsp lemon or lime juice and enjoy.
Tomato Soup
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, grated or pureed
1-2 carrots, grated or pureed
1 garlic clove, minced
Grate onion and carrot with a cheese grater or puree together in a blender. In a large saucepan, saute onion, carrots and garlic in olive oil in a large saucepan. Puree one large can of tomatoes in blender. Stir into vegetables and season with the following,
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
pinch of pepper
Simmer on low 10-15 minutes. Enjoy with grilled cheese sandwich, crackers or on its own.
