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| * Tomatoes were first grown in the Andes mountains of South America - (Peru and Columbia.) * They were carried by Indians as they migrated north to Central America and Mexico. * From Mexico, Cortez, a Spanish explorer, described tomatoes in 1517 and brought tomato seeds to Europe. * Tomatoes were unknown outside of the Americas before the time of Columbus. |
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| TOMATOES �Apples of Love� |
| History of the Tomato |
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| Hernand Cortez 1485 - 1547 |
| * For centuries tomatoes are only used for decorative purposes. * The sunny Italian climate caused tomatoes to flourish and become a favorite food. * Gradually Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Germany adopted the tomato. |
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| * Tomatoes nicknamed �apples of love� probably due to red color and higher vitamin content. * When potatoes and tomatoes were introduced in Europe, they were recommended as a stimulus to sexual potency. * This may have derived from the fact that both potatoes and tomatoes have many vitamins which grains lack. |
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| Apples of Love |
| NUTRIENTS IN A WHOLE FRESH TOMATO |
| Calories 25.83 Pro (g) 1.11 Fat (g) 0.37 Carb (g) 5.66 Iron (mg) 0.62 Vit. A (IU) 766.29 Vit. C (mg) 31.98 |
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| IS THE TOMATO A FRUIT OR A VEGETABLE??? |
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| According to the classification system used in Botany: |
| A FRUIT IS A: BERRY, SEED, OR A FLOWER OF A PLANT |
| A VEGETABLE IS A: ROOT, LEAF, OR STEM OF A PLANT |
| Technically, tomatoes are really a fruit - according to classification system used in botany. However, through common usage and earliest historical evidence, the tomato has become recognized as a vegetable. It is used to prepare main dish type of foods, instead of eaten �by hand� like typical fruit. The tomato combines well with poultry, fish, meat and vegetables. |
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| HOT TOMATO TIP |
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| Tomatoes should be stored above 55 degrees F. |
| Refrigeration stops the ripening process |
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| TRY NOT TO REFRIGERATE TOMATOES�EVER! |
| Ripen and store tomatoes �stem up.� |
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| Selecting Tomatoes |
| Tomatoes should be used when they are completely reddish-orange, have a sweet subtle aroma and will give slightly to gentle palm pressure. |
| 1 pound of tomatoes = about 2 1/2 cups chopped 1 small tomato = 3 to 4 ounces 1 large tomato = 7 or more ounces |
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| COLOR TEST FOR RIPE TOMATOES |
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| Green |
| Breakers |
| Turning |
| Pink |
| Light Red |
| Red |
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| Tomato Products Tomatoes are used today to make numerous products: Tomato Sauce, Puree, Paste, Whole, Chopped, Juice, Ketchup, Spaghetti and Pizza Sauces, Chili Sauce, and Bar-B-Que Sauce, just to name a few. |
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| * British, however, considered it poisonous.This may have come about because the tomato and the fruit of the Nightshade plant look somewhat similar. It is well known that the fruit of the Night shade plant is highly poisonous. * This same fear persisted among colonists in the U.S. until the 1800�s when the Creoles� in New Orleans began making gumbos and jambalayas. |
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| Lycopene, a pigment found in tomatoes, is known to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease! |