Every year, I look forward to the bounty of garden-fresh tomatoes. Just like a slice of sweet watermelon on a hot day, a vine-ripened, juicy tomato is the essence of summer.
As a health bonus, tomatoes are known to contain the plant chemicals lycopene and bioflavonoids, which are cancer fighting agents. They protect cells with three powerful antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.
Plain sliced tomatoes with a little salt make a delicious snack or addition to any meal. They also add sweetness, tartness and umami to recipes.
Here’s a one dish entrée recipe that I recently tried that has a deep tomato flavor. I used the meaty San Marzano variety, but any flavorful type will work.
