Tomatoes

Prized for their outstanding antioxidant content, tomatoes aid in bone and heart health as well as reducing the risk of cancer and neurological diseases.

In Season: Tomatoes thrive in the warm weather months. Choose from egg-shaped Roma, or plum, tomatoes (great in sauces); cluster tomatoes (perfect tossed whole into salads); tender, sweet vine-ripened Rubies on the Vine (so sweet you could snack on them); and prized heirloom varieties.

Health Benefits: Tomatoes are antioxidant rich. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and beta-carotene; and boast a remarkable store of phytonutrients. These members of the nightshade family contain lycopene, which has been shown to help protect against prostrate, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, mouth, colon, and throat cancer. Tomatoes are also great for heart health and bone health.

How to Prepare: They are fabulous tossed into salads, soups, stews and sauces. But you can intensify their flavour best by roasting them whole or cutting them before drizzling them with great olive oil before grilling them.

What to Look For: Select firm tomatoes with taut, wrinkle-free skins; green and vibrant, fresh-looking leafy tops; and a distinctly sweet tomato aroma.

How to Store: Chilling tomatoes makes their flavour taste somewhat muted. So, keep them at room temperature unless they are very ripe. If you really must refrigerate them, place them in the fridge in a perforated bag and take them out 30 minutes ahead of eating. 

Organic tomatoes are available at SuperNature Forum and through our eShop.