The tomato is a native of North America and may have been cultivated by the Aztecs as early as 700 A.D. Tomatoes are botanically a berry and therefore a fruit. However they are used as vegetables and were officially declared as such by the U.S. Supreme Court in the late 1800's.
Tomatoes are the number one vegetable that people purchase at least once a week, and are the third most popular vegetable eaten by Americans.
When shopping, choose tomatoes that are fragrant and plump with smooth skins. Ripe tomatoes will be completely red and give slightly to gentle palm pressure. If you purchase tomatoes that are not fully ripe, they can be ripened by placing them in a paper bag with a banana or apple.
Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature. Refrigeration ruins both the flavor and texture of tomatoes, and keeps them from ripening. Fully ripe tomatoes can be refrigerated for a short amount of time - 1 to 2 days - without harm. Ripe tomatoes can be chopped and frozen for use at a later date; tomato sauce also freezes well.
One medium tomato has only 35 calories and provides 40% of the RDA of vitamin C. Tomatoes are also a good source of vitamin A, providing 20% of the RDA. Concentrated tomato products such as tomato sauce or paste provide even higher concentrations of tomato nutrients.
Tomatoes have also recently been highlighted for their potential as cancer fighters. A 1995 study found that men who ate large amounts of tomatoes had a lower incidence of prostate cancer. Furthermore, a very small recent study using lycopene supplements (a natural antioxidant) made from tomatoes showed promise in slowing the growth of prostate cancer in men who had already developed the disease. Participants receive 15 mg of lycopene; 1/2 cup of tomato sauce contains almost 22 mg. While these results are preliminary, researcher are hopeful that the results will hold true in larger, more systematic studies.
Tomatoes can be baked, broiled, sautéed, stewed, stuffed, used in sandwiches and salads. No wonder tomatoes are such a large part of Italian, Mexican and Asian cuisine.
