Tomato Patience

There is nothing better than a vine-ripened summer tomato fresh from the garden.  In the Pacific Northwest, home gardeners are patiently waiting for their plentiful green tomatoes to finally ripen.  September is the critical month – sunshine and warm temperatures make the difference between ending the summer growing season with an abundance of ripe tomatoes or not. 

This year we planted early in hopes of having an earlier crop – beefsteak tomatoes and red and yellow cherry tomatoes.  The cherry tomatoes started to ripen a couple of weeks ago and they draw us to the garden every day to pick them before the birds find them!  The big prize will be the beautiful beef steak tomatoes, which require much more patience and a few wishes for continued sunshine!

Vitamins, Minerals, and Lycopene

Tomatoes are a perfect summer superfood.  They are rich in vitamin C, A, and K, and also in minerals molybdenum, potassium, manganese, and chromium.  They are most well-known for their high content of lycopene, which has been found to protect cells, DNA, and LDL cholesterol from oxidation.  This has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer.  It is best to eat the whole tomato – animal studies where test groups received either lycopene or the whole tomato found that those give the whole food where better protected from disease.

Choose tomatoes that are free of wrinkles, bruises or soft spots.  It is best to store them at room temperature and not in direct sunlight.  They will continue to ripen at room temperature, and if you want to speed up the process put them in a paper bag with an apple or banana.

Tomatoes are delicious either raw or cooked.  Slice them for a quick salad with basil, mozzarella cheese, and balsamic vinegar.  Sauté chopped tomatoes with parsley, kalamata olives, and garlic to top fish, chicken, or tofu.  Cherry tomatoes are great in green salads and mixed in with pasta and whole grain salads. 

What about canned tomatoes?  You can find whole peeled, chopped, and sauces for quick and easy meals.  Many canned tomatoes are high in sodium, so be sure to look for low or no sodium versions and check the label for sodium content or other added ingredients.

Enjoy fresh tomatoes while they last!  Farmers markets have an abundant supply to fill your plate while patiently waiting for Mother Nature to bless your garden.