Tomatoes

Nothing says summer like the flavor of a garden-fresh tomato. Tomatoes come in a dizzying array of colors and flavors.

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Get Your Tomatoes off to a Perfect Start

Enjoy your best crop of tomatoes yet with these 10 tips to get your tomato plants off to a strong start.

"… soil, leaving your tomato plants thirsty and … Like growing kids, tomatoes are heavy feeders … to protect your tomatoes from the cold if … jump-start on the tomato -growing season … set it over your tomato plants. Leave the … during sunny days. Tomatoes are susceptible …"

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Peeling and Seeding Tomatoes

When using tomatoes in pasta sauce or salsa, the peels … a shallow x on the bottom of the tomato ; then place the tomato on a slotted spoon. Dip it into … rinse with cold water. After the tomato has cooled slightly , use a paring …

Choose the Right Tomatoes

… eating the best tomato sandwich in the … learning how to select tomatoes for your garden … and grow the same tomato next year -- but … some modern hybrid tomatoes are open-pollinated … other varieties of tomatoes are now being grown … another kind of tomato , and the result …

How to Freeze Tomatoes

… with your fingers once the tomatoes have cooled. Working in 1-pound batches, immerse tomatoes in the boiling water. Cook … 60 seconds or until the tomato skins split open. Using a slotted spoon, transfer tomatoes to a large bowl of ice water …

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Produce: Tomatoes

Tomatoes are availble year round in all sorts of colors, shapes, sizes and flavors! Let us show you how to select, store, and prepare the perfect tomato .

Sat, 7 Aug 2010|More from Food & Recipes
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Carefully transfer the blanched tomato to a bowl of ice water to speed up the cooling process and help the skin separate from the tomato flesh. Finally, peel the skin off the tomato and discard. Your tomatoes are ready to cook. To remove the seeds, simply cut the tomato horizontally. Hold the tomato , upside down, over a bowl and gently squeeze out the seeds or scoop them out with a spoon or your fingers.

-Did you know there are over 7500 different varieties of tomatoes grown in the United States today? With so many colors, shapes, and sizes, it's no wonder no 2 tomatoes are exactly alike. From Beefsteaks to Romas to Cherries and Heirlooms we're going to help you shop, store, and prepare your tomatoes like a pro.

The key to buying the best tomatoes is to buy them in season. Although, they're available year-round, peak season is late summer through early fall. Look for tomatoes that are brightly colored or firm and have a noticeable fragrance.

should be heavy for their size and not overly soft. When selecting tomatoes , look for signs that indicate mishandling during shipping like bruises and scrapes. Also, here's a great tip, the skin of the tomato should not wrinkle when you run your thumb on it with slight pressure. You can store your tomatoes at room temperature for 3 to 5 days until they're ripe or in a paper bag at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours. After tomatoes are ripe, store them in a cool dry place.

A common mistake is to store tomatoes in the refrigerator which causes them to lose both flavor and texture. When cooking with tomatoes , it maybe necessary to remove the skin and seeds. To peel your tomatoes , start by cutting an X into the skin on the bottom to allow for the skin to separate from the tomato . Then, immerse the whole tomato in boiling water for 10 to 15 seconds.

There are 5 main varieties of tomato sold in grocery stores, in farmer's markets across the county. Let's take a look. Beefsteaks are large, juicy tomatoes . Their thin skin makes them the perfect tomato for salsa, slicing for sandwiches or just for eating. Beefsteaks tend to have a shorter shelf life than other tomato varieties, so plan ahead when purchasing these summer favorites. Plum tomatoes are oblong in shape and tend to be denser and plushier than Beefsteaks.

These tomatoes are perfect for making tomato sauce and paste and they're sometimes called sauce tomatoes in stores. Cherry, Grape, and Teardrop tomatoes are small, sweet, and juicy. Cherry and Grape tomatoes are red while Teardrops can be red, yellow, or green. These little tomatoes are a perfect snack or on salads or as an addition to summer kebabs on the grill.

Heirloom tomatoes have been passed on generations for a specific look, flavor, or quality. All the classes of tomatoes have Heirloom varieties within them. But they are also sold as their own separate category. There are hundreds of Heirloom tomato varieties in every size, shape, flavor, and color. Every Heirloom tomato is as different as the next, so remember to do some research when shopping for and purchasing Heirlooms.

Tomatoes are loaded with flavor and nutrition and are a perfect staple to any well-stocked kitchen. So, whether you're looking to make a fresh snack or a homemade pasta sauce, remember these tips when picking your next tomatoes .

Heirloom Tomatoes

We wanted to find out more about the beauty and delicious flavor of heirloom tomatoes , so we visited the world-famous Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa, to find out more about these old-fashioned favorites—including how to properly save their seeds so

Tue, 6 Dec 2011|More from Design Ideas
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preserves rare vegetable varieties including more than 6000 different kinds of heirloom tomatoes . Maintaining genetic diversity is one reason to save the old varieties, but most of us grow heirloom tomatoes simply because they taste great. You can buy seeds from many seed catalogues. Even if you don't garden, many heirloom tomatoes also are available at local farmer's markets. Once you pick your favorite varieties, try saving the seeds so you can grow the

We want to learn more about the flavors and beauty of heirloom tomatoes , so we came here to the world famous Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa.

Cut your tomatoes one variety at a time and squeeze the pulp, juice, and seeds into a glass or plastic container. Label and set the

Peeling Tomatoes

Some recipes call for peeled tomatoes . You'll be at it all day if you just start picking with a paring knife. The skins will slip right off if you follow this method.

Thu, 5 Aug 2010|More from Food & Recipes
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Here's one way you can peel a tomato . While a pan of water is being brought to a simmer, remove the core from a tomato using a small knife. Set the tomato into the simmering water for about 30 seconds. Remove it with a slotted spoon or strainer and place in a bowl of ice water. You could also run it under cold tap water to cool it down. After the tomato has cooled slightly, use a paring knife to peel off skin from core to end. If not easy to peel, dip in

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Our Favorite Tomato Recipes

… mixed with basil and plum tomatoes brings out a rich and … this tomatillo-and- tomato medley that gets its … Pick garden-fresh tomatoes for this potluck favorite … sweet and tangy twist on tomato salad, try this easy … carb per serving. Pick tomatoes right out of your garden …

Tomato Recipes

… grilled steak; juicy tomatoes , creamy avocado … the red pepper- tomato dressing into the … spread and juicy tomatoes take grilled cheese … topped with a plum- tomato jam, makes an ideal … dish. Sun-dried tomatoes , Monterey Jack cheese, parmesan- tomato sauce, and grilled …

Fresh Tomato Salad Recipes

… with a variety of heirloom and roma tomatoes for a pretty presentation. A mixture … vegetables and fruit fills pretty tomato flowers -- an ideal side dish for … mixture of grape, cherry, and pear tomatoes . For a light starter, fill hollowed …

How to Make Fresh Tomato Sauce

… simple platter of sliced tomatoes so pretty and delicious. Heirloom tomato varieties come in many sizes, from tiny cherry tomatoes to softball-size tomatoes , as well as unique shapes … see an unusually shaped tomato ; that's part of the …

Top Heirloom Tomatoes

… in the heirloom- tomato world. But many … re a far cry from tomatoes at the grocery store … main categories of tomato growth habit: determinate … indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes stay smaller and … Black Cherry' tomatoes have a complex flavor … than the average tomato . It's a quick …

15 Fun Ideas for Growing Tomatoes

… how to tame your tomatoes . Heavy-gauge … makes a sturdy tomato cage. Cut a length … especially for tomatoes to climb. This wood tomato trellis, reminiscent … container with a tomato for a fantastic … bending to tend your tomatoes by growing them …