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Green Tomatoes
Inventory, 10 lbs : 0
This item was last sold on : 05/28/23
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Green tomatoes have light to dark lime green skin and are extremely firm. They range in size depending on the variety and can be anywhere from 4 to 10 centimeters in diameter and can be very round or plumper with broad shoulders. The flesh is bright chartreuse and has a very firm center with tiny, underdeveloped seeds. Green tomatoes offer a crisp and mildly juicy texture. They have a sharp, puckering, astringent flavor with a slight sweetness.
Green tomatoes are available year-round with a peak season in the summer and fall months.
Green tomatoes were famously re-introduced to the culinary scene after the release of the early 1990s movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, based on the book by Fannie Flagg. They are the immature or unripe fruits of any variety of tomato and are botanically classified as Solanum lycopersicum or Lycopersicon esculentum. Green tomatoes are generally sourced from the large “slicer” type tomatoes since they are easier to use than smaller cultivars. Although farmer’s markets and specialty stores may carry other varieties of Green tomatoes.
Green tomatoes contain antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, phosphorous, and other minerals. Green tomatoes also contain all the essential B-complex vitamins. Green tomatoes contain the alkaloid tomatine which is being researched for its potentially cancer fighting properties. The compound is only found in the green parts of the tomato plant and as the fruits ripen, their levels of tomatine decrease.
Green tomatoes are used raw and cooked. They are sliced and battered in cornmeal and fried for their signature dish. They are also pickled, cooked into sauces, made into relishes or ketchup, and baked. Add sliced Green tomatoes to sandwiches or dice and use in rice or risotto recipes and for fritters or quick breads. They can be used as a substitute for sour green apples in recipes and have just enough sweetness to be a surprising and tasty ingredient in a traditional apple-based dessert. Store Green tomatoes at room temperature until ready to use, refrigerating will extend shelf life. Keep cut, unused portions in the refrigerator.
Despite its reputation as a staple of southern cuisine, the green tomato’s modern use in the kitchen seems to have originated in the Midwestern United States. The first published recipe for fried green tomatoes was printed in Chicago’s “The Daily Inter Ocean” in 1877. Around the same time, other publications began to promote the Green tomato, giving gardeners a use for what was formerly considered waste. Green tomatoes remained popular throughout the first half of the 20th century, after which their use began to decline. Their popularity surged again after the release of the film ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ in 1991 and they’ve continued to appear on menus and at farmer’s markets around the country.
Tomatoes, like their botanical cousin, the potato, originated in the South American Andes. They were first cultivated around 700 C.E. in South and Central America by the Mayans and Incas. After their arrival in the 15th century, Spanish conquistadores brought tomato seeds back to Europe, where the French called it “the apple of love” and Germans named it “the apple of paradise.” Despite its use and admiration in Europe, it wasn’t until Thomas Jefferson began growing the fruit as a food crop at his Monticello estate that the tomato began showing up in the American kitchen. Today tomatoes are the world’s most consumed fruit before bananas and watermelons. Green tomatoes are most likely spotted at farmer’s markets, specialty stores and on seasonal menus in temperate regions world-wide.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Recipes that include Green Tomatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Green Tomatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Food Buzz: History of Tomatoes |
Description/Taste
Green tomatoes have light to dark lime green skin and are extremely firm. They range in size depending on the variety and can be anywhere from 4 to 10 centimeters in diameter and can be very round or plumper with broad shoulders. The flesh is bright chartreuse and has a very firm center with tiny, underdeveloped seeds. Green tomatoes offer a crisp and mildly juicy texture. They have a sharp, puckering, astringent flavor with a slight sweetness.
Seasons/Availability
Green tomatoes are available year-round with a peak season in the summer and fall months.
Current Facts
Green tomatoes were famously re-introduced to the culinary scene after the release of the early 1990s movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, based on the book by Fannie Flagg. They are the immature or unripe fruits of any variety of tomato and are botanically classified as Solanum lycopersicum or Lycopersicon esculentum. Green tomatoes are generally sourced from the large “slicer” type tomatoes since they are easier to use than smaller cultivars. Although farmer’s markets and specialty stores may carry other varieties of Green tomatoes.
Nutritional Value
Green tomatoes contain antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, phosphorous, and other minerals. Green tomatoes also contain all the essential B-complex vitamins. Green tomatoes contain the alkaloid tomatine which is being researched for its potentially cancer fighting properties. The compound is only found in the green parts of the tomato plant and as the fruits ripen, their levels of tomatine decrease.
Applications
Green tomatoes are used raw and cooked. They are sliced and battered in cornmeal and fried for their signature dish. They are also pickled, cooked into sauces, made into relishes or ketchup, and baked. Add sliced Green tomatoes to sandwiches or dice and use in rice or risotto recipes and for fritters or quick breads. They can be used as a substitute for sour green apples in recipes and have just enough sweetness to be a surprising and tasty ingredient in a traditional apple-based dessert. Store Green tomatoes at room temperature until ready to use, refrigerating will extend shelf life. Keep cut, unused portions in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Despite its reputation as a staple of southern cuisine, the green tomato’s modern use in the kitchen seems to have originated in the Midwestern United States. The first published recipe for fried green tomatoes was printed in Chicago’s “The Daily Inter Ocean” in 1877. Around the same time, other publications began to promote the Green tomato, giving gardeners a use for what was formerly considered waste. Green tomatoes remained popular throughout the first half of the 20th century, after which their use began to decline. Their popularity surged again after the release of the film ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ in 1991 and they’ve continued to appear on menus and at farmer’s markets around the country.
Geography/History
Tomatoes, like their botanical cousin, the potato, originated in the South American Andes. They were first cultivated around 700 C.E. in South and Central America by the Mayans and Incas. After their arrival in the 15th century, Spanish conquistadores brought tomato seeds back to Europe, where the French called it “the apple of love” and Germans named it “the apple of paradise.” Despite its use and admiration in Europe, it wasn’t until Thomas Jefferson began growing the fruit as a food crop at his Monticello estate that the tomato began showing up in the American kitchen. Today tomatoes are the world’s most consumed fruit before bananas and watermelons. Green tomatoes are most likely spotted at farmer’s markets, specialty stores and on seasonal menus in temperate regions world-wide.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Now Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-246-6179 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Green Tomatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Green Tomatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Santa Monica Farmers Market
Garcia Organic Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 5 days ago, 5/24/23 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes from Garcia Organic Farm 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 13 days ago, 5/16/23 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes from Dassi Farms 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 49 days ago, 4/10/23 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes from Dassi Farms 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 134 days ago, 1/15/23 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes from Valdivia Farms 
Verduras El Miller
Central Mayorista Medellin
Near Itagui, Antioquia, ColombiaCalle 85 #48-01 Medellin Antioquia About 193 days ago, 11/18/22 Sharer's comments : Tomates verdes frescos! 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Valdivia Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 271 days ago, 8/31/22 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes from Valdivia Farms 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suit 150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 399 days ago, 4/25/22 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes from Valdivia Farms 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 505 days ago, 1/09/22 Sharer's comments : Green Tomatoes from Valdivia Farms 
La Jolla Open Aire Market
Valdivia Farms
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesCarlsbad, CA About 505 days ago, 1/09/22 
Ocean Beach Farmers Market
Valdivia Farms
Near Coronado, California, United StatesCarlsbad, CA About 565 days ago, 11/10/21 
Rancho Bernardo Certified Farmers Market at the Be
Valdivia Farms
Near 4S Ranch Pkwy S & Rancho Bernardo Rd, California, United StatesCarlsbad, CA About 584 days ago, 10/22/21 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 619 days ago, 9/17/21 Sharer's comments : Green tomatoes from Valdivia farm 
Kannapolis Farmers Market
Simply Farm
Near China Grove, North Carolina, United StatesKannapolis, NC About 690 days ago, 7/08/21 Sharer's comments : Can't beat fried green tomatoes!! 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 702 days ago, 6/27/21 Sharer's comments : Green tomatoes |
