Banana Tomatoes
Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 0
Description/Taste
Somewhat resembling a banana pepper, novelty banana tomatoes are also known as sausage tomatoes. Bright yellow and pointed, fruits are about four inches long and more than an inch wide.
Seasons/Availability
Banana Tomatoes have a peak season during the summer months.
Current Facts
An average American buys eighteen pounds of tomatoes each year, more than any other vegetable, except for, of course, potatoes and lettuce. Both fruit and vegetable, the tomato is one of the most versatile flavoring ingredients currently used in cooking. Many varieties of the tomato are available in markets and come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Orange, orange-pink, yellow and even green tomatoes are commonly seen in today's markets. Sizes vary from the giants weighing two pounds to the mid-sized oval tomatoes popular for making tomato paste to the very small cherry tomatoes.
Nutritional Value
Tomatoes provide carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron and potassium. One medium tomato contains about 35 calories. Tomatoes are a source of lycopene, a strong antioxidant and anti-cancer agent. Studies show tomatoes are helpful in preventing the incidence of cervical and pancreatic cancer.
Applications
Banana tomatoes are perfect for canning and make delicious sauces. Add their cheery color to open-face sandwiches. Toss chunks in fresh mixed green salads; drizzle with a favorite dressing or vinaigrette. Add to stir-fries the last few minutes of cooking; cook just until heated through. Halved or sliced, use as edible garnish for main entrees. Enhance flavor with fresh parsley, dill weed, chili powder, oregano, mint, basil, curry, thyme and garlic. To store, keep tomatoes at room temperature for best flavor.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Today after successfully recovering from its age-old bad reputation as being poisonous, the innocent tomato is America's favorite fruit-vegetable. Italians are especially passionate when it comes to loving the versatile tomato and use it as a major ingredient in their delicious and famous sauces. Translated, the Latin binomial for the tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, means "edible wolf's peach", which just may explain the reason it wasn’t welcomed with open mouths by Europeans. Native Americans, however, found many uses for the tomato and devised sun-drying techniques using slanted boards. Cortez learned these techniques and passed them on to his countrymen. When the tomato was reintroduced to the Americas, it was a love-hate relationship again.
Geography/History
As much as America truly loves the tomato today, that isn't the way it has always been. Our ancestors actually found them to be quite unappetizing. Because the tomato was a member of the mysterious nightshade group, the innocent tomato was regarded as poisonous and was treated with much skepticism. Just why the ominous term "nightshade" was given to certain plants is not clear. Early English writings lead researchers to believe this name was given to plants that were more active in the dark of night than in the light of day which sounds reasonable. Some historians blame folklore for the wrongful fear of the shunned tomato. Renaissance botanists have also been blamed for not identifying and not classifying the tomato correctly. To make tomato matters worse, sixteenth century herbalists in England copied these erroneous works, aiding to the tomato's bad reputation. Today tomatoes are favored worldwide for their endless culinary creations. In the United States, California is a major producer. Mexico also contributes to the marketplace.
