CHERRY TOMATOES, Fruit or Vegetable?

Marcia Norwood
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable?
 

Yellow Tomato Flower.  Husky Cherry Red, Hybrid Tomato.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Confused?

The confusion about "fruit" and "vegetable" arises between cooks and scientists in their use of tomatoes. 

CLICK on each photo to ENLARGE.

Husky Cherry Red, Hybrid Tomato.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

 Scientifically speaking, a tomato is definitely a fruit.

Yellow Tomato Flower. Cherry Tomatoes and Grape Tomato Harvest.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

True fruits are developed from the ovary in the base of the flower, and contain the seeds of the plant (although cultivated forms may be seedless).  

Cherry Tomatoes and Grape Tomato Harvest.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Blueberries, raspberries and oranges are true fruits.  Some plants have a soft part which supports the seeds and is also called a "fruit", although it is not developed from the ovary:  the strawberry is an example.

Cherry Tomatoes and Grape Tomato Harvest.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Some things which are strictly fruits, such as tomatoes or bean pods, may be called "vegetable" by cooks - because they are used in savory rather than sweet cooking.

Husky Cherry Red, Hybrid Tomato.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

 So - the answer to the question is that a tomato is technically the fruit of the tomato plant, but it is used as a vegetable in cooking.

Grape, Tami G. Hybrid Tomato.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Husky Cherry Red Hybrid Tomatoes.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Don't look for tomatoes next to oranges in the grocery store.
  
Fruits - like tomatoes and green beans are usually (incorrectly) referred to as "vegetables" in most grocery stores and cookbooks.


 

Husky Cherry Tomatoes and Grape Tomato Harvest.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

RECIPE

Fresh Corn Tomato Salad

 CLICK on the link or COPY & PASTE the link in your browser:

http://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/search?term=fresh+corn+tomato+salad&mainIngredient=&type=&dietary=&action_ProcessRecipeSearchForm=Search
  

Husky Cherry Tomatoes and Grape Tomato Harvest.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

RECIPES & COMMENTS

1) Message From My Friend, Diane

"Marcia, have you tried roasting 
your cherry tomatoes? 
Toss with a little salt and olive oil,
 and bake at 375 degrees
on a foil lined cookie sheet."


2) Message From My Friend, Martha

"I LOVE oven roasted cherry tomatoes! 
I bake mine on parchment paper for several hours 
till they reach a nice dark brown 
(bordering on black cuz I like mine a bit crispy)! 
Bake about 325 degrees. 
After they're cooled, 
put them in an airtight containers,
and keep them in the freezer. 
Use them in stir-fry, salads, omelets, or just snacking.
 Nom nom nom!" 
 

Husky Cherry Tomatoes and Grape Tomato Harvest.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Cherry tomatoes 
                are fun to munch on, 
                            and surprisingly easy to grow.

My daughter, Sarah, said:  

"I planted  

cherry tomatoes 

this spring - at the end of May.  

I like to pop cherry tomatoes

 in my mouth.

I don't have to cut them up.  

They are good for snacks.  

It's like eating grapes."

Daughter Sarah.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Daughter Sarah.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

 Sarah's Cherry Tomato Harvest...

Husky Cherry Tomatoes and Grape Tomato Harvest.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Sarah's Husky Cherry Red Hybrid Tomato

             and Grape (Tami G. Hybrid) Tomato Vines...

Sarah's Cherry Tomato Vines at Norwood Gardens.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Hugely nutritious for their size, cherry tomatoes 
abound with 
Vitamins C, A, and K, 
and the anti-oxidant lycopene 
is in every bite.  

 Cherry tomatoes have been savored in Mexico for 2,500 years.   Christopher Columbus brought them back to Europe.  

Good Things Come In Small Packages!   

               Cherry Tomatoes:  

                                       Kid Friendly
                                                     Looks Good
                                                        Tastes Good

Grape, Tami G. Hybrid Tomato.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

How about planting cherry tomatoes 
                                    with your child or grandchild?

1. Plant in a sunny spot.
2. Tie the plant to a stake.
3. Water every other day.
4. Watch the magic begin!

Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Marcia & Sarah.  Copyright 2013

 Thanks 

for 

stopping 

by!

Come 

back 

often, 

and 

bring 

a friend!

Marcia Norwood
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking