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The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
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SalanovaĀ® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
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Green tomatoes have light to dark lime green skin and are extremely firm. They range in size depending on the variety and can be anywhere from 4 to 10 centimeters in diameter and can be very round or plumper with broad shoulders. The flesh is bright chartreuse and has a very firm center with tiny, underdeveloped seeds. Green tomatoes offer a crisp and mildly juicy texture. They have a sharp, puckering, astringent flavor with a slight sweetness.
Green tomatoes are available year-round with a peak season in the summer and fall months.
Green tomatoes were famously re-introduced to the culinary scene after the release of the early 1990s movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, based on the book by Fannie Flagg. They are the immature or unripe fruits of any variety of tomato and are botanically classified as Solanum lycopersicum or Lycopersicon esculentum. Green tomatoes are generally sourced from the large āslicerā type tomatoes since they are easier to use than smaller cultivars. Although farmerās markets and specialty stores may carry other varieties of Green tomatoes.
Green tomatoes contain antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, phosphorous, and other minerals. Green tomatoes also contain all the essential B-complex vitamins. Green tomatoes contain the alkaloid tomatine which is being researched for its potentially cancer fighting properties. The compound is only found in the green parts of the tomato plant and as the fruits ripen, their levels of tomatine decrease.
Green tomatoes are used raw and cooked. They are sliced and battered in cornmeal and fried for their signature dish. They are also pickled, cooked into sauces, made into relishes or ketchup, and baked. Add sliced Green tomatoes to sandwiches or dice and use in rice or risotto recipes and for fritters or quick breads. They can be used as a substitute for sour green apples in recipes and have just enough sweetness to be a surprising and tasty ingredient in a traditional apple-based dessert. Store Green tomatoes at room temperature until ready to use, refrigerating will extend shelf life. Keep cut, unused portions in the refrigerator.
Despite its reputation as a staple of southern cuisine, the green tomatoās modern use in the kitchen seems to have originated in the Midwestern United States. The first published recipe for fried green tomatoes was printed in Chicagoās āThe Daily Inter Oceanā in 1877. Around the same time, other publications began to promote the Green tomato, giving gardeners a use for what was formerly considered waste. Green tomatoes remained popular throughout the first half of the 20th century, after which their use began to decline. Their popularity surged again after the release of the film āFried Green Tomatoesā in 1991 and theyāve continued to appear on menus and at farmerās markets around the country.
Tomatoes, like their botanical cousin, the potato, originated in the South American Andes. They were first cultivated around 700 C.E. in South and Central America by the Mayans and Incas. After their arrival in the 15th century, Spanish conquistadores brought tomato seeds back to Europe, where the French called it āthe apple of loveā and Germans named it āthe apple of paradise.ā Despite its use and admiration in Europe, it wasnāt until Thomas Jefferson began growing the fruit as a food crop at his Monticello estate that the tomato began showing up in the American kitchen. Today tomatoes are the worldās most consumed fruit before bananas and watermelons. Green tomatoes are most likely spotted at farmerās markets, specialty stores and on seasonal menus in temperate regions world-wide.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Recipes that include Green Tomatoes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Green Tomatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Food Buzz: History of Tomatoes | Listen |
Grower
| Valdivia | Homepage |
Description/Taste
Green tomatoes have light to dark lime green skin and are extremely firm. They range in size depending on the variety and can be anywhere from 4 to 10 centimeters in diameter and can be very round or plumper with broad shoulders. The flesh is bright chartreuse and has a very firm center with tiny, underdeveloped seeds. Green tomatoes offer a crisp and mildly juicy texture. They have a sharp, puckering, astringent flavor with a slight sweetness.
Seasons/Availability
Green tomatoes are available year-round with a peak season in the summer and fall months.
Current Facts
Green tomatoes were famously re-introduced to the culinary scene after the release of the early 1990s movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, based on the book by Fannie Flagg. They are the immature or unripe fruits of any variety of tomato and are botanically classified as Solanum lycopersicum or Lycopersicon esculentum. Green tomatoes are generally sourced from the large āslicerā type tomatoes since they are easier to use than smaller cultivars. Although farmerās markets and specialty stores may carry other varieties of Green tomatoes.
Nutritional Value
Green tomatoes contain antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, phosphorous, and other minerals. Green tomatoes also contain all the essential B-complex vitamins. Green tomatoes contain the alkaloid tomatine which is being researched for its potentially cancer fighting properties. The compound is only found in the green parts of the tomato plant and as the fruits ripen, their levels of tomatine decrease.
Applications
Green tomatoes are used raw and cooked. They are sliced and battered in cornmeal and fried for their signature dish. They are also pickled, cooked into sauces, made into relishes or ketchup, and baked. Add sliced Green tomatoes to sandwiches or dice and use in rice or risotto recipes and for fritters or quick breads. They can be used as a substitute for sour green apples in recipes and have just enough sweetness to be a surprising and tasty ingredient in a traditional apple-based dessert. Store Green tomatoes at room temperature until ready to use, refrigerating will extend shelf life. Keep cut, unused portions in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Despite its reputation as a staple of southern cuisine, the green tomatoās modern use in the kitchen seems to have originated in the Midwestern United States. The first published recipe for fried green tomatoes was printed in Chicagoās āThe Daily Inter Oceanā in 1877. Around the same time, other publications began to promote the Green tomato, giving gardeners a use for what was formerly considered waste. Green tomatoes remained popular throughout the first half of the 20th century, after which their use began to decline. Their popularity surged again after the release of the film āFried Green Tomatoesā in 1991 and theyāve continued to appear on menus and at farmerās markets around the country.
Geography/History
Tomatoes, like their botanical cousin, the potato, originated in the South American Andes. They were first cultivated around 700 C.E. in South and Central America by the Mayans and Incas. After their arrival in the 15th century, Spanish conquistadores brought tomato seeds back to Europe, where the French called it āthe apple of loveā and Germans named it āthe apple of paradise.ā Despite its use and admiration in Europe, it wasnāt until Thomas Jefferson began growing the fruit as a food crop at his Monticello estate that the tomato began showing up in the American kitchen. Today tomatoes are the worldās most consumed fruit before bananas and watermelons. Green tomatoes are most likely spotted at farmerās markets, specialty stores and on seasonal menus in temperate regions world-wide.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Claire's on Cedros - SKSB | Solana Beach CA | 858-259-8597 |
| Lady Pirate Products | San Diego CA | 619-616-5740 |
| Now Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-246-6179 |
| Streetcar Merchants | San Diego CA | 858-382-4087 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Green Tomatoes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Green Tomatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 119 days ago, 9/27/20 Sharer's comments : Green tomatoes from Valdivia farms 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Valdivia Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 130 days ago, 9/16/20 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 164 days ago, 8/13/20 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes are in season now 
Bellingham Farmer's Market
Sunseed Farm
Near Bellingham, Washington, United StatesAcme, Wa About 190 days ago, 7/18/20 Sharer's comments : Love these freshly sliced on my sandwich :) 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 203 days ago, 7/05/20 Sharer's comments : Glisteningš 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 209 days ago, 6/29/20 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes in from Valdivia Farms! 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 233 days ago, 6/05/20 Sharer's comments : Plump and beautiful green tomatoes from Valdivia Farms 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Francisco Valdivia
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1-951-818-0917 About 242 days ago, 5/27/20 Sharer's comments : Beautiful Green Tomatoes from Valdivia Farms 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 259 days ago, 5/10/20 Sharer's comments : Beautiful green tomatoes from Valdivia Farms 
Fairway Market
Near West New York, New Jersey, United StatesAbout 387 days ago, 1/03/20 Sharer's comments : Green tomatoes 
Central market of Athens Greece
Lalas S.A
Near Athens, Attiki, GreeceCentral market of Athens M 18-20 002104826243 About 516 days ago, 8/27/19 Sharer's comments : Tomatoes on vine green š 
Leucadia farmers market
Gaytan Family Farms
Near Encinitas, California, United StatesRiverside CA About 518 days ago, 8/25/19 
Your Dekalb Farmers Market
Deklab Farmers Market
Near Scottdale, Georgia, United States3000 Ponce de Leon Ave Decatur Georgia 30031 404-377-6400 About 518 days ago, 8/24/19 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes at the Dekalb Farmers Market 
Central market of Athens - Greece
Near Athens, Attiki, GreeceAbout 537 days ago, 8/06/19 Sharer's comments : Tomatoes on vine green š¢ 
Big Ranch Farms
Big Ranch Farms
Near Napa, California, United States2046 Big Ranch Farms Road Napa CA 94558 707-812-3901 About 553 days ago, 7/21/19 
Little Italy Mercato
Juan - Heritage Family Farms
Near San Diego, California, United States760-741-8471 About 596 days ago, 6/08/19 
Central market of Athens-Greece š¬š·
Central Markets & Fisheries Organization S.A. / Farmers Market
Near Athens, Attiki, GreeceTzon Kennenti, Agios Ioannis Rentis https://www.okaa.gr/ About 633 days ago, 5/02/19 Sharer's comments : Tomatoes on vine green āļø 
Central Market of Athens - Greece
Central Markets & Fisheries Organization S.A. / Farmers Market
Near Athens, Attiki, GreeceTzon Kennenti, Agios Ioannis Rentis https://www.okaa.gr/ About 647 days ago, 4/18/19 Sharer's comments : So beautiful š like fake š |
