Rock on Tommy! (Tomatoes)

Member Name: Praskipark

Product:	Tomatoes
Date:	26/07/08 (131 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, versatile and colourful

Disadvantages: Can upset sensitive stomachs.

From grannie's kitchen to haute cuisine there has always been a place for the humble tomato.

Tomatoes are one of my favourite fruits as they are bright and pretty to look at and very versatile. Unfortunately I have never had a lot of success growing them but it doesn't really matter as you can buy tomatoes from most supermarkets and greengrocers.

Like potatoes they come from South America where they were grown by the Aztecs who named them xitomatl. Tomato plantations were discovered in 1519 by Ferdinand Cortez whilst on an expedition and later the plant was imported to Spain.

In the mid 18th century the tomato was called 'peruvian apple, 'golden apple' or 'love apple.' It was regarded as an ornamental plant and it's fruit was thought to be poisonous and inedible.

It's properties as a fruit were dicovered in the 18th century in Spain and later in Naples from where it was exported to northern Italy and the south of France.

At first it was used for sauces and soups, and then gradually began to be fried, stewed, baked and stuffed. Very quickly tomatoes became the most popular ingredient of various salads and started to be processed into ketchups, pastes, juices and concentrates.

Sometimes the skin of tomatoes can upset peoples' digestive system and in that case it is always best to skin the tomato. This task can be carried out by first dipping the tomato into boiling water for a few minutes and immediately running the tomato under the cold water tap.

The most popular variety of tomatoes are the round red ones which are available all year from greenhouses. Other varieties include cherry and grape tomatoes, elongated tomatoes, yellow and orange tomatoes and we mustn't forget the beefsteak tomato which I find a little tasteless but good for grilling with cheese on the top due to it's size and composition.

Cherry and grape tomatoes can be used in salads and as a garnishing, or else as appetizers when filled with spreads or pastes.

Unripe green tomatoes can be used in preserves and chutneys as well as pickled or marinated.

Tomatoes are a rich source of Vitamin C and pottassium, the latter regulating blood pressure and having a beneficial influence on the nervous system. As is known, psychic and physical stress cause loss of potassium, and consequently tiredness and weakness. It is therefore worth remembering tomatoes in moments of stress. Two small tomatoes cover 25% of the prescribed daily intake of potassium.

Traces of lycopene can also be found in tomatoes. This is a potent antioxidant and some researchers claim when tomatoes are cooked can be beneficial for the prevention of prostate cancer. Others disagree.

Every day about 1 litre of water is expelled through our skin, which when dehydrated looses it's elasticity and firmness. Tomatoes which are 91% water, act as an ideal moisturiser.

The tomato is also rich in folic acid. The correct amount of folic acid gives us more energy, improves our memory and helps us to concentrate.

Tomatoes have a high acidity and are used in cooking generally to bring out other flavours. Generally used in most countries but widely used in most dishes in the Middle east and Mediterranean countries.

I use tomatoes nearly every day in cooking. I especially love baked tomatoes in the oven stuffed with ham and cheese. My favourite salad is mozzarella cheeze and olives.

Other culinary uses are;
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Tomato soup
Stuffed Tomatoes
Pizza
Ketchup
Salsa
Tomato juice
Tomato au Gratin
Bloody Mary (hangover cure)
Fried tomatoes
Sun dried tomatoes

Here are a couple of quirky facts to finish my review
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In Spain the town of Buñol, annually celebrates La Tomatina. It is a festival which takes place in the streets where people of the town and visitors throw tomatoes at each other. Personally I always think this is a rather silly celebration and such a waste of a staple food.

In the 19th century theatre goers used to throw rotten tomatoes at bad actors and in earlier centuries provided useful ammunition to punish renegades in stocks.

Conclusion
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In many ways a tomato is a lot like my husband, round with red skin and a shiny face. Sometimes sharp but mostly sweet.

Summary: A loveable fruit!