Tomatoes’ origins trace back to the early Aztecs around 700 A.D; therefore it is said that tomatoes are native to the Americas. Europeans were introduced to this fruit around the 16th century when the early explorers set sail to discover new lands. Throughout Southern Europe, the tomato was quickly accepted into the kitchen, as it moved north it was used less.

Originally the tomato was considered a poisonous plant and only the poor use to eat it. There are some stories around the poisonous statement, some say because of the way it looked (similar to another poisonous plan) and another that it was due to the high lead content in the rich’s flatware (as opposed to the poor) - high acid foods would cause the lead to leech that could result in lead poisoning.

Today the debate of vegetable-or-fruit seems to have been solved – the tomato is now taxed as a vegetable, but still sometimes referred to as the apple of love.

Tomatoes’ origins trace back to the early Aztecs around 700 A.D; therefore it is said that tomatoes are native to the Americas. Europeans were introduced to this fruit around the 16th century when the early explorers set sail to discover new lands. Throughout Southern Europe, the tomato was quickly accepted into the kitchen, as it moved north it was used less.

Originally the tomato was considered a poisonous plant and only the poor use to eat it. There are some stories around the poisonous statement, some say because of the way it looked (similar to another poisonous plan) and another that it was due to the high lead content in the rich’s flatware (as opposed to the poor) - high acid foods would cause the lead to leech that could result in lead poisoning.

Today the debate of vegetable-or-fruit seems to have been solved – the tomato is now taxed as a vegetable, but still sometimes referred to as the apple of love.

Tomatoes of versatile and a standard ingredient in most countries.  They can be eaten raw, grilled, used in sauces, as toppings and can be eaten with breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Tomatoes can either compliment a dish or be the centre focus.

When using tomatoes in a sauce or stew peel them by plunging them into boiling water for 30 seconds, then immerse them in cold water to keep the flesh from cooking. Peel the skin off.  You can remove the pips (just squeeze them) as they can cause a dish to become a bit sour.

What to do if you have to many tomatoes?  You can freeze them and be used in place of canned tomatoes in sauces.  To freeze them simply remove their stalks and freeze whole in freezer bags. When you need them, just put the whole frozen tomatoes into the pan at the point when you would add the canned tomatoes. Don’t try to defrost them separately as they turn to mush.

Tomatoes of versatile and a standard ingredient in most countries.  They can be eaten raw, grilled, used in sauces, as toppings and can be eaten with breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Tomatoes can either compliment a dish or be the centre focus.

When using tomatoes in a sauce or stew peel them by plunging them into boiling water for 30 seconds, then immerse them in cold water to keep the flesh from cooking. Peel the skin off.  You can remove the pips (just squeeze them) as they can cause a dish to become a bit sour.

What to do if you have to many tomatoes?  You can freeze them and be used in place of canned tomatoes in sauces.  To freeze them simply remove their stalks and freeze whole in freezer bags. When you need them, just put the whole frozen tomatoes into the pan at the point when you would add the canned tomatoes. Don’t try to defrost them separately as they turn to mush.