Tomatoes are incredibly easy to grow.
They are perfect for those who want to be self-sustainable and grow their own food, as homesteading is becoming increasingly popular and necessary.
What Is A Tomato?
If you did not know, tomatoes are fruit, not vegetables. This is because they form from a flower, so they are actually a type of berry.
They are mainly used as vegetables in hot dishes or eaten as they are. They are fleshy and juicy, perfect for adding substance and a slight sweet acidity to food.
The fruit consists of the ovary and the seeds of the flowering plant. They originated from South America and were originally the size of a pea.
What Are Tomatoes Used For?
Tomatoes are used in cooking and are eaten in all forms widely around the world.
Tomatoes are consumed in many ways in a range of dishes. It can be eaten raw and is characterized by its sweet and tangy taste.
Tomatoes can be eaten in salads, drinks, stews, sauces, and so many other things. The taste of tomatoes can vary ultimately depending on the type.
They are eaten and used for their taste as well as their nutritional purposes. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, as well as folate, and potassium.
How To Core A Tomato
To core a tomato, simply cut a circle around the green/brown core of the tomato, putting the knife about an inch deep. Cut out the core in a circle, and remove it.
Now you have a tomato without a core. You can use it in dishes to avoid the crunch core, and it will ensure your salads are soft and fresh, too.
What’s The Best Way To Chop A Tomato?
Tomatoes can be notoriously difficult to cut. Because tomatoes are so soft, they can often get squished if they are too juicy, and this is made worse when using a blunt knife.
Tomatoes are perfect additions, as well as garnishing.
Slicing bigger tomatoes is typical for burgers and salads, and smaller chopped tomatoes are seen more in tacos and other cooked dishes.
Think of three shapes for tomatoes: slices, cubes, and wedges.
Wedges are perfect for salads, too. To cut a tomato into slices, place it on its side, and cut it into thin slices with a sharp, serrated knife.
Try not to press down on the tomato with too much pressure, as it may become squashed. To dice tomatoes into cubes, cut them into slices first.
Lay down your slices and cut them crosswise in the opposite direction to which you cut them before. Cut them into small cubes.
To cut tomatoes into wedges, cut off your stem. Cut the tomato in half from the stem, all the way through.
Cut it in half again to create quarters, and then cut again if desired. Use a small serrated knife or a sharp, small knife.
What knife Is Good For Cutting A Tomato?
A small serrated knife is the best knife to cut tomatoes. A sharp serrated knife will ensure that it cuts through the skin and flesh of the knife.
Use it in a sawing motion, as you would cut bread. A sharp knife also works, but it has to be thin and sharp enough to make a slice.
How Many Types Of Tomatoes Are There?
There are around 10,000 different types of tomatoes from all around the world. They originate and are cultivated in different countries and have different tastes and colors.
They come in almost every color and shape. Some of the most common tomatoes are cherry tomatoes, grape, Roma, beef, vine, heirloom, yellow, and green tomatoes.
Tomatoes are easy to breed, so there are different kinds of variations of the main types. Tomatoes generally fall into a basic classification, being globe, cherry, beefsteak, plum/pear, and ribbed tomatoes.
Why Would You Core A Tomato?
Coring a tomato general makes it easier to use in recipes or to eat fresh. Coring them is typical when eating fresh tomatoes, or using them for salads and burgers.
The core is generally tough, hard, and slightly bitter. It is absolutely fine to consume, but probably not desirable in comparison to the rest of the tomato!
Do You Need To Core Tomatoes For Salsa?
Yes, a tomato should be cored for salsa. It only takes a few seconds, and it makes a difference.
If you do not core a tomato for salsa, you will end up with the hard, woody core and the tough skin in amongst your delicious salsa.
It may also be a good idea to seed your tomato so that the tomatoes stay intact within your salsa, as the seed part of the tomato tends to fall out.
Do You Core A Tomato Before Boiling?
It is typically easier to core a tomato before you boil it whole.
Simply cut the top core off, and blanch it in some water. It is not necessary to boil a tomato for a long time, especially if you are blanching your tomato.
How Do You Seed A Tomato?
To seed a tomato, simply cut off the top of the tomato (including the core), and remove it, like a lid. Cut your tomato in half, horizontally, rather than downwards from top to bottom.
Simply squeeze the tomato gently, so the seeds drop into a bowl or dish. If the seeds have not come out, simply scrape them gently with a tool or your hand.
Alternatively, you can slice the tomatoes into wedges, and score the inside, like removing the seeds of a bell pepper.
This will take away the seeds and the gel-like substance surrounding the seeds. This is typically done for dishes that require seeded tomatoes, as well as salsa and pico de gallo.
Should Seeds Be Removed From A Tomato?
No, it is simply a preference. It may be a good idea to seed your tomatoes if you are using them in sandwiches or salads.
The seeds are watery and fall apart, meaning they are bound to make your bread soggy and make your salad watery!
For cooked dishes, it is up to you if you want to seed your tomato or not.