Contributed by Jennifer Peachey

I've never tried fried green tomatoes, but I have heard they are good. I've only ever had red tomatoes, and I love them! The Western world did not start eating them until the 19th century but, as might be expected, they had been eating tomatoes in Italy since the 16th century. Now we have more than 1000 varieties to enjoy. Most tomatoes are round, globular or oval. In 1984, however, an American Agronomist did create a square one that would be easy to pick and pack. Imagine that!

As you may know, a tomato is actually a fruit, although we usually combine them with vegetables. It is the main ingredient in gazpacho, ratatouille, pizza, and many pasta sauces. They can be stuffed, used in soups, stews, omelettes, risottos, or eaten raw in salads. Personally my favorite way to eat a tomato is on a toasted tomato, onion, cucumber, and lettuce sandwich.

Anyway you slice them, tomatoes are good for you. One medium tomato contains 1.2 grams of fibre and only 35 calories. They provide 20% of your recommended daily income of Vitamin A and 40% of vitamin C. Tomatoes also aid in the cleansing of toxins from the body. Green tomatoes do contain solanine, a toxic substance but cooking neutralizes this property.

**To peel a tomato: immerse in boiling water for 15-30 seconds, rinse in cool water, and peel.

**To seed a tomato: cut in half and squeeze the halves, remove any remaining seeds by hand.

**To pare a tomato: cut a circle around the stem end and remove hard part.

**To freeze tomatoes: wash and freeze whole for future cooking.

**To enjoy a tomato: appreciate its history, admire its colour, relish its strong aroma, and savour its wonderful flavour!

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