Tomatoes

September’s NH Harvest of the Month: tomatoes!

Wild tomatoes originated in the Andes mountains of South America. They were domesticated in Mexico and introduced to Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century. They were incorporated into the Mediterranean diet by the 18th century.

There are about 1700 varieties of tomatoes. Tomatoes are considered scientifically a fruit but we treat them like a vegetable.

Tomatoes are a favorite for home gardeners because they are easy to grow and are versatile in their use. When selecting tomato plants to grow, consider what you want to make with them, how long they take to produce fruit. If space is a consideration, select between determinate or indeterminate varieties.

A staple of Guatemalan cooking, chirmol is a sauce featuring charred tomatoes mixed with onions, cilantro, mint and lime.

In Ukraine, tomatoes are pickled with horseradish leaves, garlic and dill.

The Portuguese introduced tomatoes to India and they are now one of the most profitable crops there. Tomatoes form the base of many curry dishes and are much liked for their umami flavor.

This webpage includes a variety of educational materials, activities, recipes, and more about tomatoes for use at home, in youth or family programming, in the classroom, and in the cafeteria. For more New Hampshire Harvest of the Month resources for September, click here.

Additional resources for tomatoes:
“Interesting Facts About Tomatoes,” Utah State University

Lesson Plan for Tomatoes

Developed in partnership with UNH Extension, NH Farm to School, and the UNH Education department, the Harvest Lessons lesson plan and curricular activities can be used by education professionals to incorporate tomatoes into dynamic, long-lasting learning in the classroom and other education-based settings.

Lesson Plan Supplements
Click to download the lesson plan supplements to support learning through the activities in the lesson plan.
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