Welcome to Tasty Tidbits, your go-to guide for making the most out of the fresh, local produce that you find at Alabama farmers markets! Brought to you by Live Well Alabama, each edition highlights a delicious fruit or vegetable, providing nutrition facts, simple storage and cooking tips, and new recipe ideas. Get ready to explore fresh flavors, boost your meals with nutritious ingredients, and enjoy the best of what Alabama’s farms have to offer.

Nutrition Nuggets

• Tomatoes are a low-calorie and low-sodium food.
• They support heart and eye health and a healthy immune system. They contain lycopene, which is associated with a reduced risk of cancer.

How to Store

• Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight and use within 1 week once ripe.
• Refrigerate only if you can’t use them before they spoil. Tomatoes taste best if not refrigerated.
• Store in the freezer for 12 months.

How to Prepare

• Wash and dry.
• Remove the stem and cut into slices or wedges, or dice.

How to Enjoy

• Add to salads or soups, or slice onto a sandwich or burger.
• Roast in the oven.
• Make tomatoes into a tasty sauce or salsa.

Did You Know?

• There are 25,000 varieties of tomatoes, such as beefsteak, cherry, and Roma.

Recipes

Salsa

INGREDIENTS

• 4 large Roma tomatoes
• 1/4 cup white onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and enjoy.

2. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Tomato Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 10 to 12 medium tomatoes or a 28-ounce can of tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 large onion, cut into large wedges
• 1 1/2 cups water (or vegetable or chicken stock)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan.

2. Add onion wedges, water, tomatoes, and salt.

3. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 40 minutes.

4. Stir occasionally and add additional salt as needed.

5. Blend or stir together.

Oven-Roasted Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS

• 6 medium Roma tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 medium clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450° F.

2. Combine oil, vinegar, and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside while preparing tomatoes.

3. Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the tomatoes cut side up on the pan.

4. Drizzle the oil mixture evenly and season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Roast until tender for 20 to 30 minutes.

Learn More

For more Tasty Tidbits, visit www.LiveWellAlabama.com.

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