April is National Florida Tomato Month. I love tomatoes. I can get a tomato right out of the garden. I have always been able to grow the best grape tomatoes. My regular tomatoes always tended to have a muted taste. However, my kids and I would eat handfuls of the grape tomatoes as we were bringing them back to the house. One year we ate so many tomatoes that my kids decided to ban tomato eating. I never got tired of them. I look forward to growing more grape tomatoes and trying yet again to grow a tasty regular size tomato.
Besides eating tomatoes from the vine, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a good tomato. The most common uses are on burgers and salads. Of course, if you grow Roma tomatoes you have the option of canning them for sauces. Make a simple salad of tomatoes and mozzarella or sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. Often in the summer we slice tomatoes, red onions and cucumbers, then soak them in our favorite dressing for a few hours in the fridge, and enjoy them as a side to our grilled chicken, steak or burgers. I also dice tomatoes and add them to omelets or simply to pasta meals. Fry chicken in olive oil with peppers, onions and tomatoes, season well, and place over pasta for a light dinner. Another option for breakfast is a yummy bagel sandwich. Toast your bagel and top with low fat or non fat cream cheese. Then add salt and pepper to taste. Place sliced tomatoes and basil leaves on the bagel for a fantastic light lunch or breakfast. You can also add on bacon or sautéed onions.
If you have not incorporated tomatoes into your diet then this is the perfect month to try. Start off with something simple like a salad. Find ways to add in this sweet vegetable to dinners and lunches to add in nutrition. The more whole foods and veggies you eat the less you will crave high fat and high sugar foods throughout the day.