Choosing the best tomatoes for the most delicious dishes
Tips
Tomatoes can maintain their properties for several days, depending on their condition. The right thing is to store them with the stem down, so it prevents air and moisture from entering the place where the fruit was plucked at the time of its collection.
Cutting Tips
Cutting a tomato is not as simple as it may seem at first. If not done properly, the slices can be undone or it may be difficult that all parts of the slice remain in place. There are three ways in which you can cut a tomato correctly and it depends on the recipe you want to prepare.
Eat 3-5 days after purchase
During this period, tomatoes keep all their physical and nutritional conditions to the fullest.
Away from direct sunlight
It is advisable to keep them away from direct sunlight, unless we want to dry them because the sun affects tomatoes’ skin as this fruit is 95% water.
Temperature
Tomatoes come from sub-tropical climates so they do not tolerate the cold well, so cooling them makes them lose flavour and properties.
In the refrigerator
There is only one case in which it is advisable to keep tomatoes in the refrigerator and that is when they have gone beyond maturity. In this case, they should be placed in the refrigerator in a plastic or paper bag with holes to reduce water loss. They should be removed from the refrigerator an hour prior to consumption in order to help them adapt to room temperature and recover the delicacy of its original flavour.
Buying
At the store, you must choose pieces at their optimum point of maturity as it is when they have a higher content of vitamin C. In order to do this, choose tomatoes with smooth skin, without bumps or spots. Hard tomatoes are best suited for salads and soft ones may have their place in sauces, creams, soups and juices. Tomatoes are also an excellent seasoning. They have a very versatile culinary behavior and can adapt to the most varied dishes, both hot and cold ones.
Cooking
Tomatoes taste really well either roasted or grilled. It is excellent when battered and fried. It is great when used as a recipient of numerous fillings, both to eat raw or roasted. It works as a side dish and entree. I works perfectly when preserved and it can be packaged raw or fried.
Tomato combines perfectly with all types of meat and fish and finds in garlic, onion, oregano, mint and olives some extraordinary flavour complements.
In order to make the most of tomatoes’ nutritional benefits, they are best taken raw, in salad or juice, since they can lose up to 50% of their vitamins when cooked.
