Tomato is a fruit from the nightshade family native to South America. Despite botanically being a fruit, it’s generally eaten and prepared like a vegetable. Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

 

Nutritional benefits
Tomatoes are good for the heart, hair, skin and eyes. They are also immune boosting due to their high antioxidant properties and include vitamin C and beta carotene.

 

Availability:

Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
                     

 

 

Common Recipes

 

Tomato & Pepper Salsa

Ingredients
• 4 tomatoes, deseeded and chopped
• 1 red pepper, cut into small pieces
• 1 onion, finely sliced
• 1 spring onion, finely sliced
• ½ chilli, finely sliced
• 1 lime
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed
• 2 tbsp coriander, finely sliced
• Herbamare® zesty seasoning salt

Method
• Mix the tomatoes, pepper, onions and chilli in a bowl and grate the zest of the lime over the mix.
• Mix in the garlic and coriander.
• Season with black pepper and Herbamare Spicy seasoning salt.

Avocado, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich

Ingredients
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Black pepper, to season
• Herbamare® seasoning salt, to season
• 4 slices of ciabatta bread
• 1 tbsp salad cream or mayonnaise
• ½ romaine lettuce
• 1 tomato

Method
• Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over the avocado slices, and season with black pepper and Herbamare seasoning salt.
• Place the avocado slices on a hot grill for 2-5 minutes until beginning to sizzle.
• Spread the ciabatta bread with salad cream or mayonnaise and fill with lettuce, tomato and grilled avocado.

Meatball & tomato soup

Ingredients
• 1½ tbsp rapeseed oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 red peppers, deseeded and sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• ½ tsp chilli flakes
• 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
• 100g giant couscous
• 500ml hot vegetable stock
• 12 pork meatballs
• 150g baby spinach
• ½ small bunch of basil
• grated parmesan, to serve (optional)

Method
• Heat the oil in a saucepan. Fry the onion and peppers for 7 minutes, then stir through the garlic and chilli flakes and cook for 1 min. Add the tomatoes, giant couscous and veg stock and bring to a simmer.
• Season to taste, then add the meatballs and spinach. Simmer for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through. Ladle into bowls and top with the basil and some parmesan, if you like.