Tomatoes: Perfect, Now
Red, juicy tomatoes, locally grown, ripened on the vine, and picked the day before. That's why they’re so tasty and loaded with nutrition. Grab them at our Harvest Home Farmers’ Markets. We accept S.N.A.P., WIC, EBT, Over-the-counter benefit cards, FMNP checks & Health Bucks. From now until mid-October, you can feast on tomatoes that taste like tomatoes. So different from what you’ll get in the supermarket! A mouth-watering treat; a boost for the body, whether cooked or raw, plain or in salads, sauce, or salsa.
A Mouth-watering treat: Eat them plain or with olive oil, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. Toss them into salads and grill them. Mix them with fresh peaches for a new twist on Salsa. (See recipes), Made no-cook fresh tomato sauce; serve it cold or hot!
No Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce: Serve it cold or slightly warm
Ingredients
5-8 very ripe tomatoes (plum, Roma, round, etc.)
1-2 cloves garlic (chopped or minced)
1 & 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: Either chop ingredients finely or pulse quickly in a food processor
Combine tomatoes, onion, garlic & oil in a large bowl. Toss to mix well.
Add oregano, basil, and salt. Toss again. Then season with salt and pepper to taste
Mix in pasta and sprinkle with cheese.
Or try a lightly cooked fresh tomato sauce (see video)
A Boost for the Body: Tomatoes are bursting 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 & C which are essential for overall body health!
Tomato Temptations: From Farm to Fork
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 & ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
TO MAKE
Chop tomatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. Finely chop seeded pepper, jalapeños & onion and transfer to bowl.
Dice the peaches. No need to peel them. You won't notice the peels and the color is prettier with the peel on. Transfer peaches to your bowl.
Add cilantro, lime juice, salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Mix well & enjoy!
TIPS: Tomato Sauce Variations
Other ingredients for a different taste: Use the basic sauce recipe (See Video) & be creative.
Add 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
If you want fully cooked, smoother tomato sauce, watch this video here. The ingredients are the same; the cooking time is different.
Tips & Tricks
How to peel a tomato: Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Drop in fresh tomato for about a minute until the skin splits. Remove with a fork or slotted spoon. Let cool a bit. Skin will slide off easily. Video here.
Don’t forget to add fresh summer tomatoes to salads, soup, stir-fry, or stews. Try uncooked sauce on chicken or fish. Fresh tomatoes are delicious with almost anything!
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Video of the week