Summer-August Celebration of Tomato 🍅 Season!
We’re entering August, which means it's peak summertime, the perfect opportunity to stock up on juicy tomatoes.
While other fruits (yes, tomatoes are technically fruits) reach a specific shape or color when ripe, tomatoes come in different presentations. From small, sweet cherry tomatoes to big, meaty heirloom tomatoes, which can be even green, yellow, and purple-ish.
Small or big, sweet or tangy, all tomatoes bloom in dry environments, that’s why you’ll see a lot more of them between late July and early August.
Why should you eat tomatoes?
The tomato is a nutrient-packed food to add to every meal. They are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. Tomatoes also contain a lot of water and fiber, a happy combination for your digestive system.
In fact, tomatoes are linked to the prevention of heart diseases and prostate, lung, and stomach cancers. And because of their high levels of lycopene, they can also promote skin health by preventing sunburns.
How to pick the right tomatoes
As we explained before, tomatoes come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. That’s why you should focus less on the exterior and really lean on your senses when shopping for the perfect tomato this summer.
Instead of color or brightness, look out for little to no bruising, scarring, cracks, tears, or blemishes on the skin.
Touch and give them a soft squeeze with your fingertips. If you plan to use it that same day, it should be firm but cede a little. If you need to store them for a couple of days or even weeks, pick a firmer option, so they can ripen later.
And if you are not sure yet, smell them! Tomatoes taste better when fresh, so they should have a sweet, clean aroma, with no tangy notes associated with the rotting process.
How to cook tomatoes?
Tomatoes taste great in both sweet and savory dishes, so there are really no limitations! The small ones -as cherries or grapes-are perfect for salads, omelets, and sandwiches.
Medium and large tomatoes, like heirloom or beefsteak, are great for sauces, gazpachos, and oven-baked recipes.
