Tomato

Tomatoes are juicy, sweet-tart fruits used like vegetables in salads, sauces, soups, sandwiches, and countless cooked dishes.

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How it compares to Bell peppers

Tomatoes are softer, juicier, and more acidic than bell peppers. Cooking concentrates their sweetness into a rich sauce.

Storage & handling

Wash tomatoes under running water just before cutting or eating.
Store ripe whole tomatoes at room temperature for the best flavor, but refrigerate cut tomatoes promptly.
Discard tomatoes with mold, leaking decay, or a fermented smell.

Good to know

Botanically a tomato is a fruit, but in 1893 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it a vegetable so it could be taxed as one (Nix v. Hedden).
There are thousands of tomato varieties, in every color from red and yellow to green, orange, and purple.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant your body actually absorbs better from cooked tomatoes than raw.

3 Ways to Cook Tomato

Fresh Tomato BruschettaJuicy tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil served on crisp toasted bread.+

Ingredients

4 ripe tomatoes, diced
1 minced garlic clove
1/4 cup chopped basil
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Salt
Black pepper
Sliced crusty bread

Instructions

Combine tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes.
Toast the bread until crisp.
Spoon the tomato mixture onto the toast immediately before serving.

Recipe adapted from The Mediterranean Dish

Simple Fresh Tomato SauceA versatile stovetop sauce for pasta, pizza, eggs, or vegetables.+

Ingredients

2 pounds chopped ripe tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 chopped onion
3 minced garlic cloves
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt
Black pepper
Fresh basil

Instructions

Heat olive oil and cook the onion until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
Add tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Simmer uncovered for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Stir in basil, taste, and adjust seasoning.

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

Roasted Tomato SoupOven-roasted tomatoes blended into a smooth, comforting soup.+

Ingredients

2 pounds halved tomatoes
1 quartered onion
4 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
Salt
Pepper
1/4 cup cream, optional

Instructions

Heat the oven to 425°F.
Place tomatoes, onion, and garlic on a pan; coat with oil, salt, and pepper.
Roast for 30 to 35 minutes until browned and soft.
Transfer to a pot, add broth, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Blend until smooth, stir in optional cream, and serve.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Want Tomato in your box?

Every Belle Nature CSA box is grown in Farmington, MN, harvested within 24 hours of delivery, and comes with recipes like these. Order one-time, weekly, or biweekly for the Twin Cities cancel anytime.

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A CSA farm in Farmington, MN delivering farm-fresh, seasonal vegetable boxes across Minneapolis, St. Paul & the Twin Cities metro.

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