Tuesday's Cupful: Pick Tomatoes

Ever had a Tiny Tim or a Pink Girl?

Tomatoes are native to the hot Central and South American regions. The Spanish are credited with spreading tomatoes around the world. The fruits’ tart and tangy flavors make it a welcome ingredient in many dishes. Tomatoes may be found in Mexican salsas, Italian pasta sauces, and American burgers. Tomato pastes and canned tomatoes, which we talked about in an earlier post, are also available for cooks.

Varieties include cherry, plum, yellow (or non-acidic), and different heirloom tomatoes. Years of growing tomatoes has led to many heirlooms (cultivated for desired characteristics) and hybrid varieties (known for being disease resistant). Some have cool names like Better Boy, Supersonic, Tiny Tim, and Pink Girl.

Cherry and grape tomatoes are great for grilled shish kebabs and tossed salads. Meanwhile, plum tomatoes are best for making sauces and canning. Slice up large heirloom tomatoes and put them in club sandwiches. Also, try green heirlooms for fried green tomatoes.