Reasons to Eat TomatoesLooking for a heart-healthy fruit? Think tomato! This fruit, which many consider to be a vegetable due to its lack of sweetness, is a seasonal staple. Chopped in salads, sliced with fresh buffalo mozzarella, pureed for gazpacho or eaten fresh off the vine, a ripe tomato in summertime is a delicious and healthful treat. Tomatoes are:

  • Low in calories.
  • Excellent sources of vitamin C, and provide vitamins A and K, potassium, manganese and fiber.
  • A source of lycopene – researchers have linked lycopene (a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their color) with a lowered risk of heart disease as well as being helpful in lowering high cholesterol.


Here is another way to get those good for you tomatoes in your body. 

Bloody Marys’

In July, the abundance of ripe tomatoes means making your own tomato juice is a breeze, and fresh juice, in turn, means a truly superb Bloody Mary. With a range in the amounts of horseradish, Tabasco, and lemon juice, you can customize the drinks to your liking. The final flourish, rimming the glasses with sea salt and black pepper, adds a slight tingle to each sip.

Fresh Tomato Bloody Marys recipe

ingredients
  • 6 pounds ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 6 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cups very coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley sprigs (from 1 large bunch)
  • 2 tablespoons fine sea salt, divided
  • 2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons bottled horseradish
  • 2 1/2 to 3 teaspoons Tabasco
  • 2 1/2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon wedges for rims of glasses
  • 16 ounces (2 cups) ice-cold vodka
  • Garnish: large caper berries or green olives

preparation

Make tomato juice:
Purée tomatoes, celery, parsley, and 1 tablespoon sea salt in several batches in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and chill at least 1 hour. Force through a food mill or medium-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids (you’ll have about 10 cups juice). Add horseradish, Tabasco, and lemon juice.

Assemble drinks:
Mix remaining tablespoon sea salt and 1 teaspoon finely ground fresh pepper on a small plate. Moisten outside of rim of each glass with lemon wedge, then dip rim in salt and pepper. Fill each glass with ice and 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka, then top with about 2/3 cup juice.

cooks’ note:Tomato juice, without horseradish, Tabasco, and lemon juice, can be made 1 day ahead and chilled.

yield     Makes 16 drinks       active time  30 min      total time      1 1/2 hr

 create your own