Sicily provides the perfect climate to ripen these delicious scarlet fruits. Massimo, Giovanni and Daniel have inherited the family business from their father and uncle and tend 180 hectares in Ispica in south east Sicily. Along with tomatoes they grow a wide range of fruits and vegetables for our boxes including fennel, artichokes, peppers, celery, melons and blood oranges. The brothers specialise in San Marzano tomatoes, the beautiful plum shaped variety needed to make an authentic neapolitan pizza.
Did you know that when the tomato plant first came to the British Isles in the late 16th Century it was used predominantly as a decorative plant as its fruit was believed to be poisonous? Thankfully, someone clearly took a risk and now we know better!
Country of Origin - Italy/Spain/Israel/Morocco
Class - Minimum Class 2
Containing vitamins E, C and beta-carotene, tomatoes are a useful antioxidant. Antioxidants have been shown to lower risk of several forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and cataracts.
There is no need to do more than a quick rinse before slicing, to add to a salad. Some people prefer to remove the skin; some recipes may also require this. Place the tomatoes in very hot water and wait until the skin begins to peel away naturally, remove and, when cool enough, peel completely. The older the tomato, the softer it is. Keep in the fridge and use as soon as you can, if you like to eat your tomatoes whilst they are still firm.
Stuck for ideas? Click here for Tomato recipes