There are few foods that capture the taste of summer quite like a perfectly ripe tomato.
If you’ve ever bitten into a tomato that was picked fresh from the garden or harvested that morning and brought to your local farmers’ market, you know exactly what we’re talking about. It’s juicy, sweet, rich, fragrant.
And the flavor – WOW!
Summer tomatoes are coming into their prime right now and are available in countless varieties and bursting with flavor. They’re also packed with nutrients that support good health and vitality, making them an easy choice for our Superfood of the Month.
Why Local Tomatoes Taste So Much Better
Imaging picking a peach before it’s ripe so it can survive a week-long trip across the country. That’s essentially what happens with many commercially grown tomatoes. To withstand shipping and extend shelf life, they’re often harvested before they’re fully ripened and selected for durability as much as flavor.
Local tomatoes have a different story. They’re usually picked at peak ripeness, giving them more time to develop the sweetness, aroma, and rich tomato flavor that make summer tomatoes unforgettable. One bite is often all it takes to appreciate the difference. My husband, Scott, used to say, “I don’t like tomatoes.” The reality is he had never experienced a truly great one. Now he can’t get enough of them!
Put It to the Test
Here’s a fun challenge for this week: Buy a tomato from your grocery store and another one from a local farmers’ market, roadside stand, or garden. Slice them both. Sprinkle each of them with just a tiny pinch of salt. Then taste them side by side.
No dressing. No fancy recipe. Just tomatoes. Which one would you reach for again? Most of you probably know the answer before you even take that first bite!
Why Tomatoes Deserve Superfood Status
Great flavor is reason enough to enjoy tomatoes, but they are also incredibly nutritious. Tomatoes are naturally rich in:
- Lycopene – a powerful antioxidant that gives them their vibrant red color and supports heart health.
- Vitamin C – helps support your immune system and healthy skin.
- Potassium – supports healthy blood pressure, muscles, and nerves.
- Fiber – helps keep you feeling satisfied while supporting digestive health.
And because tomatoes are naturally low in calories, they’re an easy way to add both nutrition and incredible flavor to so many meals.
Fresh or Cooked? One of the most fascinating things about tomatoes is that they’re nutritious whether you enjoy them fresh or cooked. Fresh tomatoes shine in salads, salsas, and sandwiches, while cooking them actually makes lycopene easier for your body to absorb. So enjoy them in abundance – both fresh and cooked.
How to Pick a Great Tomato
When you’re shopping, look for tomatoes that are:
- Heavy for their size
- Fragrant near the stem
- Richly colored
- Slightly soft, but not mushy
- Free from large bruises or soft spots
Before our REAL food journey, we used to think tomatoes belonged in the refrigerator – because that’s what my parents did. Now we know they taste best when stored at room temperature. Refrigeration can diminish their flavor and affect their texture. If your tomatoes become very ripe and you can’t eat them right away, refrigerating them for a day or two can help reduce spoilage – but for best flavor, let them come back to room temperature before enjoying them.
Embrace the “Ugly” Tomatoes
If you’ve never tried an “ugly” tomato, this is the year! Especially with heirloom tomatoes, they can come in every shape, size, and color imaginable. Some are purple, yellow, green, striped, or even nearly black. Some are all kinds of odd shapes with cracks and bumps that prove they weren’t bred and grown for perfection.
They may not win a beauty contest, but they can absolutely be the best-tasting tomatoes you’ll ever eat. Tomatoes don’t need to look absolutely perfect…in fact, purchasing “seconds” or “still-good-but-on-the-verge-of-going-bad” tomatoes can be a fantastic bargain if you are using them immediately. They are ideal for making flavor-bursting Salsa Fresca or Marinara Sauce!
When Fresh Tomatoes Aren’t in Season
Fresh local tomatoes are hard to beat, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up great tomato flavor the rest of the year. Canned tomatoes are an excellent pantry staple for sauces, soups, stews, and so many other meals. Many brands now use BPA-free can linings, making them a convenient option when fresh tomatoes aren’t at their peak.
A general rule of thumb is one 28 oz can of tomatoes can be substituted for 10-12 whole fresh tomatoes, and one 14 oz can of tomatoes equals about 5-6 whole fresh tomatoes.
Some delicious ways to enjoy fresh summer tomatoes
We are continuing to provide delicious meal ideas throughout the summer to help you get as much enjoyment as possible out of fresh in-season tomatoes. Here are just a few great ideas:
Cherry Tomato Margherita Pizza
Grilled Sweet and Spicy Summer Tomatoes
Take Me to Italy Tomato & Garlic Pasta
Baked Cod with Herbed Tomato Sauce
Try tomatoes in some new ways this summer!
And try some new varieties that you haven’t tried before. They will be abundantly available for the next couple months – so make the most of it while you can!
And remember, incredible fresh flavor goes beyond just tomatoes…the same difference can be found in all the other produce available from hard-working local farmers!
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