Did you know that the tomato is actually a fruit? A Supreme Court ruling in 1893 deemed the tomato a vegetable and is now
fresh in season, exploding in variety of shape, brilliant color and size at your local market.
According to the CA Department of Food and Agriculture, every American consumes almost
80 pounds of tomatoes a year, whether processed or fresh. "
California grows 9 out of 10 processed tomatoes in the US with a crop value exceeding $547 million," according to the
CA Tomato Growers Association.
According to California tomato expert
Gary Ibsen, (
Carmel Tomato Fest), 95% of the 30 million people who garden in America grow tomatoes. With over 10,000 varieties, (even the
Julia Child Heirloom) nothing quite compares to the taste of a home-grown tomato just harvested from your garden. Even restaurant gardens are becoming more commonplace -
see Chef Cindy Pawlcyn's Mustards Grill gardens.The tomato began as small berry-like fruit in South America, then to Mexico, where it was commonly known as a 'tomatil'. Traveling overseas to Italy, this heart-shaped vegetable became known as
the '
love apple' ("poma amoris"), considered by some as an aphrodisiac. But do be careful. Did you know that
all parts of the tomato plant are toxic, of course with the exception of the fruit itself.
Countless studies continue to reveal the numerous
health benefits of including tomatoes in your well-balanced diet. Rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, tomatoes help fight skin disease, have anti-aging and longevity qualities and aid in the prevention of certain cancers. The old saying must be true..."
a tomato a day...?"
Versatile and absolutely delicious, these vegetables end up in most any dish imaginable and have become a mainstay in American cooking. Tomatoes are a central ingredient to pizza, to gazpacho, and to bloody marys. Betcha didn't know that tomato juice is the official state beverage of Ohio! You can also top pasta with freshly diced tomatoes, garlic and basil,
but don't forget the drizzle ofEVOO! Tomatoes can be stuffed, boiled, stewed, pureed, deviled, glazed, pickled, grilled and fried - you name it. It can all be done with this versatile veggie. Check out the recipes below and try something new today,
while they're fresh in season.