Cooking with tomatoes is a versatile and delicious experience. Tomatoes are commonly used in many cuisines around the world and can be prepared in a variety of ways.
These juicy and versatile fruits add a burst of flavor and color to any dish. They can be used in their raw form, roasted, grilled, or pureed to create a rich and tangy base for dishes.
Grilling Tomatoes For Homemade Mexican Salsa
Tomatoes can be sliced and added to salads, blended into soups and used as a base for sauces and stews.
Tomatoes also pair well with a variety of herbs and spices, making them a popular ingredient in many recipes.
Whether you are making a classic Italian marinara or a spicy Mexican salsa, tomatoes are a must-have in the kitchen.
Science Of The Tomato
Tomatoes belong to the Solanaceae family and are known scientifically as Solanum lycopersicum.
Wild tomatoes are believed to have originated in the coastal regions of western South America, specifically in present-day Peru and Ecuador. These wild tomatoes were small and round, with a yellow or red color.
They have been cultivated for thousands of years, with over 10,000 varieties currently in existence.
Scientists have studied the genetic makeup of tomatoes to understand their diverse traits, such as size, shape, color, and taste.
They have also researched the optimal growing conditions for tomatoes, including soil type, temperature, and water requirements.
Additionally, when we hear the word tomato, we think red, but in actuality they come in many colors. And including size and shapes.
Cooking With Tomatoes
There are several different types of tomatoes that are ideal for cooking.
Plum Or Roma Tomatoes
Plum tomatoes, also known as Roma tomatoes, are great for making sauces and soups due to their dense, meaty texture and low water content make for a thicker consistency.
Plum tomatoes are long, plum-shaped, and are grown specifically for making tomato sauce, though you can use them for applications other than for making sauce.
Such as marinating, roasting, and making vinaigrette.
Recipes Using Plum Or Roma Tomatoes
Cherry & Grape Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking or adding to salads, roasting or grilling, as their small size and high sugar content bring out a burst of flavor when heated.
Cherry tomatoes are known for their sweet and tangy flavor, making them a popular choice for adding to salads, as well as using to make sauces and salsas.
Due to their small size and firm texture, cherry tomatoes have a longer shelf life than larger tomatoes.
These bite-sized tomatoes come in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, and even purple.
Grape tomatoes and cherry tomatoes are often mistaken for being the same, however, there are subtle differences between the two.
Both are small, bite-sized varieties of tomatoes that are commonly used in salads, sauces, and as a snack.
However, grape tomatoes are slightly elongated and have a more oval shape, whereas cherry tomatoes are more round and resemble the shape of a cherry.
Recipes Using Cherry Or Grape Tomatoes
In terms of taste, grape tomatoes tend to be sweeter, while cherry tomatoes have a more balanced flavor.
Additionally, grape tomatoes are typically grown in clusters on a vine, while cherry tomatoes are often grown individually.
Unlike larger tomatoes, grape tomatoes tend to have a thicker skin which makes them more resistant to bruising and spoilage.
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Beefsteak tomatoes are ideal for slicing and using in sandwiches, on hamburgers or salads, like this Caprese Tomato Tower Salad.
Their large size and juicy texture make for a satisfying bite.
For a more unique and intense flavor, heirloom tomatoes come in a variety of colors and sizes and are great for incorporating into dishes such as salsas or bruschetta.
Italian Tomato Verities
There are several varieties of tomatoes grown in Italy. The most popular types include San Marzano, Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio, and Pachino.
San Marzano tomatoes are known for their sweet and slightly tart flavor, making them perfect for sauces and soups. They are typically found canned in the U.S. (as a product of Italy) at local markets.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes are typically processed using the Roma variety tomato. Because this variety of tomato is low in water content, makes it ideal for drying.
Because of their rich, sweet flavor, Romas are a popular choice for sun drying.
Sun-dried tomatoes are a delicious addition to pasta dishes, Italian chicken dishes, like this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Stew With Artichokes & Sundried Tomatoes, as well as pizzas, and salads, bringing a concentrated burst of tomato flavor.
Read More Here About Cooking With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
No matter what type of tomato you choose, they all bring their own unique qualities to the table and can enhance the flavor of any dish.
Read More About Cooking With Tomato Paste
More Deliciously Yummy Recipes
- Turkish Tomato And Onion Salad With Olive Oil And Pomegranate Molasses
- Kale Sweet Potato Chicken Salad With A Mango Chipotle Dressing
- Cooking With Rice
- Mango Chipotle Dressing
- Trofie Al Rosso Pesto
We LOVE tomatoes. We eat so many and so many different varieties. 🙂
Yes me as well. I like getting mixed colored cherry tomatoes and snacking on them throughout the week.
Oh yeah! 🙂