Do You Know How To Store Tomatoes?

[cat lover]

Tomatoes should always be kept at room temperature. If you put them in the refrigerator it begins to destroy the texture and the flavor. Now after you have cut a tomato yes, the refrigerator is where you want to store it.

If you have underripe tomatoes put then in a brown bag for 2-4 days and they will ripen, Check them everyday though so you catch them at the right time.

[cat lover]

Lycopersicon lycopersicum is the scientific term for the common tomato.

Tomatoes are a fruit. This is because, a fruit is the edible part of the plant that contains the seeds, while a vegetable is the edible stem, leaves, and roots of the plant.
Tomatoes belong to the same family as nightshade, the tomato's deadly cousin.

The tomato is native to the Americas. It was initially cultivated by Aztecs and Incas as early as 700 A.D. Europeans first saw the tomato when the Conquistadors reached Mexico and Central America in the 16th century. Tomato seeds were taken back to Europe where they quickly found favor in the Mediterranean countries of Spain, Portugal and Italy.

As the tomato traveled north, it was veiled in mystery. The French called it “The Apple of Love,” the Germans “The Apple of Paradise;” but the British, while admiring its brilliant red color, disclaimed the tomato as a food--they believed it was poisonous. This same fear persisted among colonists in the United States until the early 19th century; but in 1812, the Creoles in New Orleans put their cooking on the map with their tomato-enhanced gumbos and jambalayas. The people of Maine quickly followed suit, combining fresh tomatoes with local seafood.

By 1850, the tomato was an important produce item in every American city. People were planting tomatoes in their home gardens, while farmers commercially produced fresh tomatoes throughout the year. When cold weather halted local production, consumers relied on areas with temperate climates to furnish their supply of tomatoes.

California is the number two producer of fresh market tomatoes behind Florida. Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A and are high in Vitamin C. Recent studies have determined that tomatoes are one of a few food sources of the antioxidant lycopene which is related to beta carotene. A study conducted in Italy showed that consuming seven or more servings of tomatoes a week reduced the risk of developing colon, rectal and stomach cancer by 60%.

[barbszy]

Plus, a bowl of tomatoes looks so nice on your kitchen table in summer! Why waste a perfectly good natural centerpiece by putting it in the fridge :D

I just got a new gadget for storing sliced tomatoes or onions. It's a Tupperware "onion keeper" that basically is a bowl with an attached lid, that will hang from your fridge racks. Just waiting for the time when I have 1/2 a tomato or onion to try it out. It will hold a fairly big one--it's about the side of 1/2 a large grapefruit (HMMM, I just thought of another use for this!)

[cat lover]

Oh that sounds like a neat contraption! I haven't had access to anybody selling Tupperware for years so sure I've missed a lot of neat things! Got me wondering now---- what is the other use you came up with?

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Barb, I'll have to keep an eye out for the onion keeper. I never have leftover tomatoes to refrigerate, but I do have onions. lol

Also, tomatoes become starchy if put in the fridge. That's also why I don't put mine there.