They Come In All Different Shapes
They come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. They are a favorite among gardeners, and can be plucked and eaten right off of the vine or added as a savory ingredient to a meal. You will find them whole, sliced, as toppers on sandwiches and bases for soup. You guessed it, it’s the tomato!
Growing tomatoes is easy with the right preparation and can be a great way to teach children about plant varieties. Children enjoy the super tiny cherry tomatoes for a bite sized treat. But other varieties with funny names like Big Ben Beefsteak and unusual colored tomatoes like the Yellow Butterfly Plum are always a hit!
The tomato has found its way into many dishes of diverse cultures. Tomatoes are found in spaghetti sauce, on tacos, in stir fry and more. Some of the tastiest and easiest ways to enjoy tomatoes are in homemade salsas. Salsa is a healthy snack that children can help to prepare.
Garden Salsa:
2-3 large cucumbers
4 medium ripe tomatoes
1 large Sweet onion (Vidalia)
2-3 jalapenos or banana peppers
1 tbsp garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh
2 tbsp black pepper
Thinly slice onion and cucumbers in a food processor or by hand (th
e slap chop is a greatalternative if you have little ones helping you to prepare the produce). Slice and cube tomatoes to preference. Chop peppers finely and add to vegetables. Mix vegetables and all remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Salsa must sit for 2-4 hours in the refrigerator before serving. Lastly, salt to taste (2-3 tbsp of salt is usually enough). Enjoy!
