Facts about Tomatoes
Tomatoes are considered fruit and not vegetable as we all thought it is. The taste of the tomato is pleasing to ones senses ripe or not. Tomatoes are native fruits of South America but they do grow in every land outdoors or indoors as long as it gets sunlight. They are herbaceous and the fruit can grow into different sizes and colors when ripe can be red or yellow. There are many varieties of tomato that are used in many different ways but the heirloom tomatoes are becoming more famous for home gardeners and organic growers. These tomatoes have interesting flavor and they are more resistant to diseases.
There are different ways of using tomatoes. The beefsteak tomatoes are used for sandwiches, plum tomatoes are used for sauces or paste, cherry tomatoes can be eaten whole and used in salads. These tomatoes can all be used as a juice and provides lots of beta carotene and vitamin A which is good for your body.
Tomatoes are very good for our health. It contains vitamins such as A, B1 or Thiamine, B2 or riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, B6, C, E and K. Minerals present in tomatoes are potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc.
Tomatoes are known as the best anti oxidant because of the high levels of the lycophene which helps fight cancers like, prostrate, cervical, colon, pancreatic, rectal and other kinds of cancer. It reduces the risk of heart disease and improves the cholesterol levels. Due to the high level of vitamin K, tomatoes are also good for the bones. It is also good for the skin and protects from the UV rays which are very harmful.
Italians uses a lot of tomatoes in their dishes, but cooked or raw tomato is very good for our health. It can be used in pizzas, sauces for spaghetti, soup or a juice. Ketchup is also from tomatoes. Herbs that mix well with tomatoes are basil, oregano, pepper, marjoram, garlic, thyme, dill weed, bay leaf, celery, tarragon, and parsley. It is also good to go with meat, fish and vegetables. Tomatoes can also be sun dried, candied, fried or grilled.
Tomatoes are also preserved by canning because of their high acidity which is really good in preservation. The very first tomato recipe was recorded by Maria Parloa in 1872 which is the tomato chowder which was published in the book The Appledore Cook Book.
