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Vegetables and Fruit...The Invite Us Along! Campaign |
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Did you know?
Tomatoes are available year round but they are at their best from July to October! Locally grown tomatoes are picked at a riper stage than those shipped from far away. Ontario tomatoes that are grown to be sold in Ontario are left on the vine longer, so their flavour and texture remain at their best.
Although the tomato is technically a fruit, it is considered by most to be a vegetable because of the way it is used in meals and snacks.
Tomatoes are high in vitamin A and vitamin C and contain a plant chemical called lycopene. Lycopene gives tomatoes, watermelons and pink grapefruits their red colour. Lycopene is an antioxdant that can protect the body's cells from damage, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Cooked and processed tomato products, like tomato sauce or tomato paste, contain even higher amounts of lycopene.
Buying
- Try to buy locally grown. Locally grown tomatoes have more flavour and a better texture than imported tomatoes.
- Look for tomatoes that look plump, have smooth skins and are being stored at room temperature (not in a refrigerator).
- Tomatoes should be free of deep cracks, bruises and spots. Small cracks at the stem ends are okay and should not affect the quality or flavour of the tomato.
Storing
- Store tomatoes at room temperature to benefit their flavour.
- Keep tomatoes out of the sun and arrange them carefully in order to prevent bruising.
- Unripe tomatoes will ripen quicker if placed in a paper bag with a banana or apple.
- Chopped tomatoes may be frozen, to be used in sauces or other cooked dishes.
Preparing
- Wash tomatoes gently in cold water before serving.
- Tomato slices will retain their juiciness better if sliced from top to bottom instead of sideways. To prevent a soggy sandwich, add sliced tomatoes at the last minute as juices are quickly released after cutting.
- If a recipe calls for peeled tomatoes, drop them into a pot of boiling water for 15 to 30 seconds. Remove from the pot with a spoon and cool tomatoes briefly under cold running water. The skin will rub off easily.
Serving
- Toss in cherry or grape tomatoes to your salads.
- Pile tomatoes onto sandwiches, in pitas and wraps.
- Try fresh cut tomato slices with a low fat yogourt dip.
- Use tomatoes to make a pasta sauce from scratch.
- Add sliced tomatoes to grilled cheese sandwiches or tuna melts.
- Use tomatoes in meat, fish, chicken and pasta recipes.
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