Red Tomatos

Solanum lycopersicum Fruit/Vegetable

Red Tomatos Fruit/Vegetable

At a Glance

  • Category Fruit/Vegetable

The Forktionary Angle

"The sun's candy: Fully ripe red tomatoes, especially heirloom varieties, burst with a complex balance of sweetness and acidity that commercial tomatoes often lack."

Definition

The ripe, edible fruit of a vine plant, characterized by its juicy, fleshy interior and bright red skin, prized for its sweet-tart flavor.

Culinary Versatility Extremely High (raw, cooked, sauces)
Lycopene Content High (powerful antioxidant)
Water Content ~95%

Flavor Profile

The primary flavor notes for Red Tomatos are:

Sweet tart juicy acidic umami

Chef’s Secret

Never refrigerate fresh, whole tomatoes! Store them at room temperature, stem-side down, to preserve their flavor and texture.

Best Substitutes

Cherry Tomatoes

smaller
Ratio 1:1

Canned Tomatoes

in cooked dishes
Ratio 1:1

Bell Peppers

for crunch, different flavor
Ratio 1:1

Buying Guide

Select firm, heavy tomatoes with smooth, unblemished skin and a deep red color. Sniff the stem end for a fragrant, earthy aroma.

Recipes Using Red Tomatos

Preparation Course Side Dishes Tuna

Chic Greek Salad

Rachael Ray's vibrant Greek salad is bursting with fresh veggies, tangy lemon, and a herbaceous oregano-infused dressing. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a light lunch, side dish, or healthy weeknight dinner. Impress your friends and family with this stunning, flavor-packed salad!

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Spicy Presentation Sweet Tex Mex

4 Fun Salsa's In One

Dive into a fiesta of flavor with this recipe featuring four incredible salsas: a classic tomato salsa, a smoky chipotle salsa, a vibrant spiked fruity salsa, and a creamy guacamole salsa! Created by a collaborative culinary crew, this recipe is bursting with fresh ingredients and exciting flavor combinations. Perfect for parties, game day, or a fun weeknight dinner, these salsas are versatile enough to enhance any dish.

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