L'OCAbulary Guide To Tomatoes
Whether you say Tomato or Tomahto, we’ve got you covered with a crash course on the most popular varieties of tomatoes, how to store them, best uses, and techniques for incorporating them into your culinary creations.
3 min read
L'OCA
Types of Tomatoes
Grape Tomato
Small, oblong-shaped tomatoes that come in a variety of colours. Loaded with a lot of juiciness, richness, sweetness, and tanginess.
Uses
Great raw as a snack, on top of your favourite salad or grilled, roasted, or stewed.
Best Dishes
Caprese Salad, Pasta Primavera.
Storage
Should be stored in a perforated container at room temperature until fully ripe. Avoid direct sunlight. Once ripe, extend their freshness by storing them in the refrigerator.
Cherry Tomatoes
Bite-sized Cherry Tomatoes come in red, orange, yellow and even purple, adding a burst of colour and a super sweet, tender, and tangy flavour to almost any meal!
Uses
Awesome raw for an afternoon snack, grilled on a skewer or added to your favourite pasta sauce.
Best Dishes
Tomato & Mozzarella Salad, Cherry Tomato & Spinach Frittata.
Storage
Should be stored in a perforated container at room temperature until fully ripe, avoiding direct sunlight. Once ripe, extend their freshness by storing them in the refrigerator.
Beefsteak Tomatoes
The biggest of the tomato varieties, a Beefsteak, is often referred to as ‘The King of Tomatoes.’
Uses
Offers a juicy and meaty traditional tomato flavour to almost any dish.
Best Dishes
Sliced for Burgers and BLTs.
Storage
Avoid refrigeration. Ripen at room temperature. Store in a cool, dry place.
Hothouse Tomatoes
Hothouse Tomatoes come in vibrant colours and provide a well-balanced flavour. They are also grown year-round in controlled indoor environments, like greenhouses, which is great for our climate.
Uses
Ideal for salsas, salads, pasta sauces, burgers and more!
Best Dishes
Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
Storage
Store vine/stem side down at room temperature, avoiding direct sunlight.
Cocktail Tomatoes
Similar to the Roma, these ping-pong-sized tomatoes have a thin skin but pack a punch with sweet, summery and herbaceous flavour and aroma!
Uses
Salads, sauces, skewers and snacking.
Best Dishes
Rigatoni with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Burrata, Panzanella Salad
Storage
Ripen at room temperature, avoiding direct sunlight. Once ripe, extend their freshness by storing in the refrigerator.
Roma Tomatoes
Oval-shaped with fewer seeds, Romas are meaty and full or tangy, garden-fresh flavour.
Uses
Great when sliced for sandwiches, but its sweetness is intensified when cooked into a thick sauce.
Best Dishes
Marinara Sauce, Salsa Roja.
Storage
Ripen at room temperature, avoiding direct sunlight. Once ripe, extend their freshness by storing in the refrigerator.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Rich in flavour, Heirlooms come in a wide range of sizes and vibrant colours.
Uses
Enjoy raw, grilled, or roasted!
Best Dishes
With a splash of good olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, Roasted Tomato Salad.
Storage
Allow to ripen at room temperature.
Tomatoes on The Vine
Firm and hearty, these tomatoes are left on the vine to soak up the plant’s nutrients until fully ripened.
Uses
Offer a garden-fresh taste and juicy texture to just about anything!
Best Dishes
Roasted, Pico de Gallo, or in Salads.
Storage
Store vine/stem side down at room temperature, avoiding direct sunlight.
Green Tomatoes
Green Tomatoes might be unripe, but green means ‘GO’ if you’re looking to add a tangy and tart flavour to your plate!
Uses
Great for frying or pickling.
Best Dishes
Fried Green Tomatoes, Salsa Verde.
Storage
Allow to ripen at room temperature. To speed up the ripening process, enclose green tomatoes in a paper bag.
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