Fruits Whole fruits Tomatoes
Tomatoes
Presently, tomatoes are one of the most famous vegetables eaten by Americans. Tomatoes are members of the fruit family, but they are served and prepared as a vegetable and so most people consider them a vegetable and not a fruit. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C and also a good source of vitamin A.
	There are thousands of tomato varieties. The most commonly available varieties are: cherry, plum, and slicing tomatoes. A new sweet variety which is like the cherry tomato is the grape tomato; it is tasty to eat alone or in a salad. Cold temperatures spoil tomatoes, so do not buy tomatoes that are stored in a cold area. Choose plump tomatoes with smooth skins that have no bruises, cracks, or blemishes. Depending on the variety, ripe tomatoes will be completely red or reddish-orange.
Storage: Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature (above 55 degrees) until they have fully ripened. This will allow them to ripen well and develop good flavor and aroma. Do not store tomatoes in direct sunlight, because sunlight will cause them to ripen irregularly. If you must store them for a longer period of time, store them in the refrigerator and serve them at room temperature. Sliced tomatoes can be frozen for use in sauces or other cooked dishes.
Tomatoes are needed for tossed salads. Tomatoes can be used in hot or cold dishes. Place tomatoes stem-up, to avoid bruising the shoulders. Look for well-formed tomatoes which are smooth, ripe and blemish-free. Tomatoes are obtainable much of the year, from mid-May through mid-November. Tomatoes are grown in southwest Georgia and it is one of the state's top cash crops.