Tomatoes
Texas field-grown and greenhouse tomatoes are vine ripened for that sweet yet acidic taste that is hard to find. Texas tomatoes, which include Round, Roma and Cherry tomatoes, are available at your nearest retailer, local farmers market, and for shipping out of state. |
Selection: Quality tomatoes should be firm with shiny, bright skins and a soft fragrance on the stem end. Avoid tomatoes that are mushy, lacking in color, or have blemishes or growth cracks.
Storage:Tomatoes are best left unrefrigerated until they are cut. Cold temperatures make the flesh pulpy and kill the flavor. Tomatoes do continue to ripen after harvest. To encourage ripening, keep in a pierced paper bag with an apple for 24 hours. You can also leave tomatoes on the countertop away from direct light.
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Nutrition: Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamin C and also contain some amounts of vitamins A and B as well as phosphorus, iron and potassium. A medium-sized tomato has as much fiber as a slice of whole wheat bread, but only 35 calories.
General Produce Safety Guidelines:
- All fresh produce that is peeled or cut should be refrigerated within two hours. Leftover cut produce should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Hands should be washed with hot soapy water before and after handling fresh produce.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables with cool tap water immediately before eating. Do not use soap or detergents. Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush. Cut away bruised or damaged areas before eating.
- Wash surfaces often. Cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops should be washed with hot soapy water and sanitized after coming in contact with fresh produce. Always use clean cutting boards and utensils when handling fresh produce.
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Availability
Field Tomatoes
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November |
Greenhouse Tomatoes
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