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tomatoes

ProducePeak season is summer (June–September in Northern Hemisphere), with local variation depending on climate and growing region. Greenhouse and imported production extends availability year-round in most markets.

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant, and vitamin C, with moderate potassium content and minimal calories. They are also a good source of folate and contain compounds linked to cardiovascular and bone health.

About

Tomatoes are the edible berries of Solanum lycopersicum, a flowering plant native to South America and domesticated in Mesoamerica. The fruit consists of a fleshy, seed-bearing structure with thin skin encasing a juicy interior filled with seeds suspended in a gel-like matrix. Tomatoes vary widely in size, shape, and color—from small cherry varieties to large beefsteak types, in hues of red, pink, yellow, orange, and green. The flavor profile ranges from sweet and mild to acidic and complex, depending on variety, ripeness, and growing conditions. Key cultivars include San Marzano (elongated, low-seed, prized for sauce), Beefsteak (large, meaty, ideal for slicing), Cherry (small, sweet), and Heirloom varieties (complex flavor, variable appearance).

Culinary Uses

Tomatoes are foundational to cuisines worldwide, used fresh in salads, salsas, and gazpachos, or cooked in sauces, soups, and stews. They are central to Italian (pasta sauces, risotto), Spanish (gazpacho, paella), Mexican (salsas, moles), and Mediterranean cuisines. Processed tomatoes—canned whole, crushed, or as paste—are pantry staples in professional and home kitchens. Tomatoes pair well with basil, garlic, olive oil, onions, and vinegar. They can be grilled, roasted, dried, or fermented, and are equally at home in raw preparations and long-cooked reductions.

Used In

Recipes Using tomatoes (796)

RCI-VG.001.0318.001

Israeli Eggplant Salad

Serves 4.

RCI-VG.001.0323.001

Israeli Vegetable Salad

Serves approximately 4.

RCI-VG.001.0324.001

Italian Basil Tomato Salad

Italian Basil Tomato Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0498.001

Italian Chicken with Colorful Rice

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-VG.004.0708.001

Italian Green Beans I

Italian Green Beans I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0500.001

Italian Marinated Chicken

American cuisine | Poultry

RCI-ND.005.0064.001

Italian Pork Stir-fry

Be sure to cut vegetables into similar sized pieces for even cooking. Don't overload your wok or skillet. Cook in small batches, if necessary, to ensure you stir fry rather than stew.

RCI-ND.001.0046.001

Italian Sausage Farfalle

From Menu and Recipes Week 3/11/07 From "Catsrecipes Y-Group"

RCI-SP.003.0348.001

Italian-style Chili

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Borden, In

RCI-VG.004.0712.001

Italian Vegetable Medley

Makes 4 servings.

RCI-SF.001.0205.001

Jamaican rundown

Jamaican rundown from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.002.0152.001

Jersey Bay Scallops with Rice

Makes 4 servings.

RCI-MT.005.0133.001

Jim Gibson's Barbecue Hash

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Southern L

RCI-SP.003.0355.001

Jimmy's Minestrone

Jimmy's Minestrone from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0100.001

Joe Cahn's Jambalaya

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-SP.005.0125.001

Jwanu Chicken

Jwanu Chicken from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0331.001

Kachumber

Kachumber

RCI-MT.005.0134.001

Kafta bil Sanieh

Baked Kafta right|Kafta bil sanieh

RCI-VG.001.0334.001

Kangkong Salad

kangkong (Tagalog) is called in English, sometimes as swamp cabbage or water spinach although it's not really cabbage or spinach. It's sort of ubiquituous in the Philippines, it grows everywhere, in ditches, in ponds, on dry land, or in cultivation.

RCI-SP.003.0357.001

Kapenta Stew

Kapenta is a perch-like fish found in the Zambezi and other rivers of Zambia. Serve with Nshima.

RCI-SP.003.0358.001

Kapunata

A Maltese version of Ratatouille made from tomatoes, capers, aubergines and green peppers which goes well with grilled fish. This is a summer dish and can be eaten hot or cold.

RCI-VG.005.0088.001

Karam Dulma

Stuffed cabbage

RCI-VG.004.0736.001

Karela Masala

Tangy bitter-gourd

RCI-SP.004.0191.001

Kedjenou

Chicken cooked in an earthenware pot

RCI-VG.004.0743.001

Kisamvu Na Karanga

Kisamvu Na Karanga from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.004.0156.001

Kokosrijst

Kokosrijst from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.004.0157.001

Kokosrijst I

Kokosrijst I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.006.0041.001

Kold Sommersuppe

On a hot hot day where the appetite is as it should be, this soup in the perfect choice. You can even serve it laced with ice cubes.

RCI-SP.005.0133.001

Kolhapuri Mutton Rassa

Ethnicity - Marathi, West Indian Type of meal - Party, Lunch, Dinner

RCI-SP.003.0364.001

Kondre

Kondre from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0755.001

Kosksu with Broad Beans

Kosksu is small pasta pellets. It is manufactured in Malta.

RCI-SP.003.0370.001

Kuka Soup

It serves 4. A Northern Nigeria speciality. This green soup is made with powdered baobab leaves and thickened lightly with dried okro. Very tasty and serve well with tuwo shinkafa.

RCI-MT.004.0526.001

Kukkad Tawe Da

Kukkad tawe da. This delicacy is also known as tawa chicken but what ever you say if you are having taste buds working and a spice digesting liver you are always welcomed by this dish.

RCI-SN.001.0238.001

Kyopulo

Bulgarian cuisine

Lasagna
RCI-ND.002.0059.001

Lasagna

Submitted by Eller I am relatively new to cooking but I like doing it and enjoying the results. In this case, I now have a couple of days worth of food for lunch that actually taste better being leftovers. To begin, you'll need the following.

RCI-VG.001.0342.001

Latvian Summer Salad

A tasty late summer salad.

RCI-VG.001.0345.001

Layered Tofu Salad

Layered Tofu Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0371.001

Leftover Gumbo Suprise

One of my cats agree that it is sehr gut.

RCI-MT.001.0146.001

Lengua de Res

– Cow Tongue.

RCI-VG.001.0347.001

Lentil and Rice Salad

Makes 4 servings

RCI-VG.004.0779.001

Lentil-Brown Rice Salad

Makes 4 servings

RCI-VG.001.0348.001

Lentil Rice Salad

Makes 6 servings

RCI-SP.003.0373.001

Lentil Sausage Stew

This hearty stew is chock-full of protein-packed lentils, vegetables and tasty turkey kielbasa. It's big on flavor but easy on the budget. Patti St. Antoine, Broomfield, Colorado From "Catsrecipes Y-Group" 8 servings.

RCI-VG.004.0807.001

Lentil Tomato Stew

Lentil Tomato Stew from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.001.0151.001

Lomo saltado

Lomo saltado is a dish of marinated steak, vegetables and fried potatoes, usually served over white rice. It is one of the most popular recipes in Peru and is often found on the menu at many smaller restaurants at a very reasonable price.

RCI-SP.003.0380.001

Loubia b'Dersa

Algerian chili

RCI-SP.003.0382.001

Low-cal Gumbo Soup

This doesn't resemble the real Cajun gumbo, but is good for those days when you feel you've over-indulged and need to cut back. I keep in it the fridge and use it as a snack when I just have to have something else.

RCI-SF.001.0219.001

Low Carb Catfish Broiled with Tomato, Onion, and Cheese Hash

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Yield: 4 servings

RCI-SP.005.0138.001

Luksha Shamdeh

Luksha Shamdeh

RCI-ND.005.0074.001

Macaroni Vegetable Skillet

Macaroni Vegetable Skillet from the Recidemia collection