Is tomato a vegetable of fruit? We, the Indian generally treat tomatoes as vegetables and use them generously in our day to day cooking, especially for color and also for the tastes and nutrients. In our country this vegetable is generally available in the winter.
Tomatoes contain vitamin C, and a significant amount of Vitamin A and vitamin B including niacin and riboflavin, magnesium, phosphorous and calcium. These are also a good source of fiber.
Recent studies found a very essential element lycopene in tomatoes which has certain diseases like prostate cancer fighting abilities.
Lycopene is basically a red colored carotene and carotenoid pigment found in red colored vegetables like tomatoes, carrots and ripe papayas. Unlike other vegetables, processing of tomatoes actually increases the bioavailable lycopene concentration. So products from processed tomatoes, such as tomato sauces, tomato soup etc. are always preferable than fresh tomatoes. As lycopene is fat soluble, using tomatoes in oil-rich dishes greatly increases the absorption of lycopene into the blood stream.
A very easy but delicious Chutney made from tomatoes:
Ingredients: 2 large tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste, 1 chilli (optional), coriander leaves, salt and sugar for taste.
Wash the tomatoes well and with the help of a spoon or any sharp object make a hole at the top of them. Put the garlic paste in one of them and the chilli to the other through the hole. Now roast the tomatoes directly on to the flame or use a pan, put a little oil, and roast them covered with a lid. When the skin of the tomatoes become black and soft, they are ready.
Mix the flesh of the roasted tomatoes well with the chilli and garlic. Put some salt and a little sugar, add some coriander leaves and serve with roti or chapattis. It's delicious.
Hmm this sounds easy. I love Indian foods. Actually I love all sorts of food. I might try your Chutney one of these days. I have heard of it but not sure if I had tasted it.
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