Tomatoes come in different colors, but they are all succulent and dripping with juicy taste that you can only get from the farmer’s market. Want tomatoes that are locally grown, ripened on the vine, and picked the day before you get them? Visit a Harvest Home market before it is too late. From now until mid- October, you can feast on tomatoes that taste like tomatoes. They are tasty and loaded with nutrition. Different from what you will get in the supermarket.  

A Mouth-watering treat:  Eat them plain or with a bit of olive oil, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil.  Mix them with fresh peaches for a new twist on salsa. Make no-cook fresh tomato sauce; serve it cold or hot (see below).

No Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce: Serve it cold or make it lightly cooked and warm (see tips)

Ingredients

• 5-8 very ripe tomatoes (plum, Roma, round etc.)

• 1-2 cloves garlic (chopped or minced)

• 1 and ½ teaspoons oregano

• ¼ - ½ teaspoon salt

• 6-8 leaves fresh basil, chopped

• ¼ cup of onion, finely chopped

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

To Make:                                     

1. Combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, and oil in a large bowl. Toss to mix well.

2. Add oregano, basil, salt. Toss again. Then season with salt and pepper to taste

3. Mix in pasta and sprinkle with cheese

A Boost for the Body: Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene which helps prevent heart disease, cancer, and diabetes; full of beta carotene which is important for eye health and potassium to help maintain healthy blood pressure. Plus, vitamins A and C, which are essential for overall body health.

Save some sunny summer taste for those damp, chilly winter days: Freeze tomatoes or make your own sauce and freeze it. Click here to learn how.

Enjoy summer perfection now and again in January.

Fruity Tomatoes

RECIPE: Tomato/Peach Salsa

Ingredients:

• 1 lb tomatoes, diced

• 1 bell pepper (4 oz), seeded and finely diced

• 2 jalapenos, seeded and finely diced

• 1 medium onion, finely diced

• 1 ½ lbs. peaches, diced

• ½ bunch cilantro, chopped

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste

To make:

1. Chop tomatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. Add the peppers, jalapeños and onion to bowl

2. Add cilantro, lime juice, salt and ¼ tsp pepper. Mix well and enjoy

More ideas:

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: Chickpeas add protein

TIPS AND TRICKS

"Slightly Cooked" Fresh Pasta Sauce: 

• Heat olive oil in a skillet and add tomatoes, onion and garlic. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until tomatoes are as soft as you want. Stir to avoid sticking. Add a little water if needed.

• Remove from heat, add the rest of the ingredients and let sit for 15 - 30 minutes for flavors to mix.

Other ingredients for a different taste: Use the basic sauce recipe and  be creative

• Add an orange or yellow peppers for a sauce with a stronger tomato flavor

• Add ¼ cup of red onion

• Try adding cilantro instead of basil for a new taste

Tips and Tricks:

• Freezing salsa can be a little tricky. Learn how to with Getty Stewart

• Don’t forget to add fresh summer tomatoes to salads, soups, stir-fry or stews.  Great in almost anything!