Cherry Tomatoes
The cherry tomato is a type of small round tomato believed to be an intermediate genetic admixture between wild currant-type tomatoes and domesticated garden tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes range in size from a thumbtip up to the size of a golf ball, and can range from spherical to slightly oblong in shape. Although usually red, other colours such as orange, yellow, green, purple, and black also exist. Those shaped like an oblong share characteristics with plum tomatoes and are known as grape tomatoes. The cherry tomato is regarded as a botanical variety of the cultivated berry, Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme.
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Description
The origin of cherry tomatoes, now a popular snack and part of everyday cuisine, can be traced back to Mexico, the birthplace of all tomatoes. The Aztecs were eating tomatoes of all shapes and sizes, but modern-day cherry tomatoes are based on a variety bred by British and Israeli scientists in the 1970s. They’re available year-round and are grown and eaten all over the world both raw and cooked.
What Are Cherry Tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes are a small variety of tomato that is named for its shape which resembles a cherry. Sometimes sold on the vine, the vegetable can range from a little smaller than a cherry to about twice the size, and can be red (the most common color), yellow, orange, green, or almost black. These tomatoes are prized by chefs for their juiciness and thin skin, which causes the fruits to pop in your mouth when eaten. Like all tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are best in the summer, but because of their small size, they can also be grown in a greenhouse while still maintaining much of their flavor and texture. The affordable veggie can be eaten as is after a quick rinse and doesn’t require peeling, seeding, or even chopping.
How to Cook With Cherry Tomatoes
To prepare cherry tomatoes, simply give them a good rinse and drain or carefully pat dry. The tomatoes can be used whole in recipes, cut in half, or chopped. They are frequently eaten raw to maintain their texture and sweet juiciness. Toss them in salads, salsas, or add to a vegetable platter as a snack. Cooked or raw, they make a nice addition to summertime pasta dishes.
When cooked, cherry tomatoes take on a richer, deeper flavor while losing some of their freshness. Cook them whole to make burst tomatoes or slice and roast or sauté. Cherry tomatoes are not the best option for tomato sauce or soup due to their high skin to meat ratio.
If you need to cut a large number of cherry tomatoes, try this hack: Gather two round tops of quart takeout containers. Put the tomatoes in between the tops. Place one hand on top of the container sandwiching the tomatoes and use the other to run a serrated knife in between the tops, cutting the tomatoes in half.
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