Tomato: varieties, types and culinary uses
The tomato, or tomato plant, is a member of the nightshade family, which also includes eggplants, peppers, and chilies. Technically, tomatoes are fruits, but they are commonly classified as vegetables.
Tomatoes were first discovered in western South America, then crossed the Atlantic Ocean with the conquistadors in the 16th century and reached Spain. They didn't reach Russia until the 18th century. Today, they are one of the most essential ingredients in modern cuisine. Tomato skins, pulp, and seeds are edible, but their green leaves are poisonous and should always be removed.
There are thousands of different varieties of tomatoes, varying in size, color, and flavor. Some tomatoes are very small, like tiny cherry or grape tomatoes, while others are enormous and known as "oxheart." Most have a sweet, slightly tart flavor. They can be eaten fresh or used in cooking.
When can I buy it?
Year-round. Each country has its own season for fresh tomatoes. For example, the British tomato season runs from June to October. In winter, you can buy canned tomatoes in their own juice, as they are cheaper than fresh ones. Tomatoes canned in their own juice are peeled and canned whole, diced, crushed, or pureed.
Tomatoes are easy to grow at home, especially small varieties.
How to choose the best ones?
Choose firm tomatoes with smooth skin and a subtle aroma. Tomatoes are most delicious when fully ripened on the vine. If you buy them unripe, they can easily be ripened by placing them in a brown paper bag on a windowsill at room temperature.
The sooner you eat fully ripe tomatoes, the better. Therefore, whenever possible, buy ripe tomatoes and don't store them. The presence of fresh greenery on the tomato is a good sign; it shouldn't be wilted or yellow. Never buy tomatoes with signs of mold.
Depending on how you plan to use the tomatoes, you can purchase different varieties.
Bull's Heart tomatoThis is a very large fruit with fleshy pulp and a sweet, juicy flavor. It's great for salads, grilling, and filling with various fillings.
Salad: usually round, but to be truly tasty, they must be bought very ripe.
CherryThese small tomatoes resemble cherries. They are very sweet and expensive, but their intense flavor makes them worth the premium. They are great in salads, pasta, sauces, and fried.
Grape tomatoes They have a small, oblong shape similar to grapes; they are as sweet as cherry tomatoes, but slightly smaller. They are also used in salads and as a snack.
"Cream", or plum tomatoes, have an oval shape, rich flavor, and a relatively small number of seeds. They are well suited for sauces, stews, and drying.
Green tomatoesThere are two types. Some are unripe red, quite tart in flavor and ideal for chutneys and frying. Others, even when ripe, remain green. They have a pungent flavor and are great in salads or fried.
Yellow tomatoes When ripe, they are golden-yellow in color and are used in salads, salsas, and chutneys.
Culinary uses
Before eating, tomatoes should be washed and then cut in half, into smaller pieces, or left whole if they are too small. If you want to use them in a sauce, you'll need to peel the tomato, core it, and remove the seeds. To remove the skin, make a cross-shaped cut in the bottom of the tomato and then place it in boiling water for 30 seconds. After this, remove the tomato from the water and let it cool. The skin will peel off easily. Tomatoes can be canned, and they can be used to make tomato paste and juice.
Tomatoes should be roasted for 15-20 minutes, and grilled for 3-4 minutes. They can also be quickly fried by slicing them and frying them in oil for 2-3 minutes on each side. Tomatoes can be used in sauces, soups, stews, and salads.
Storage
Unripe tomatoes should be stored at room temperature at home. Ripe tomatoes should be refrigerated in a perforated plastic bag. Remove tomatoes from the refrigerator half an hour before cooking to allow them to warm up naturally.
If you've opened a metal can of canned tomatoes and don't have time to eat them all in one sitting, transfer the contents to a glass container with an airtight lid, after which it can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with recipes for various tomato dishes:
Salad tomatoes
Plum tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes
Grape tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes
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