Troubled Tomatoes

Posted by Adina Steiman

The season for ripe tomatoes is right around the corner, and I can’t wait to enjoy mine in pastas, pizzas, and salads. But there’s a bump in the road this summer: a recent report from the FDA warns consumers to avoid Roma, plum, and round red tomatoes grown in some parts of the country, since they have been linked to salmonella outbreaks.

The good news is that my favorite types of tomatoes -- cherry and grape tomatoes, along with those sold on the vine -- are still considered completely safe. I’ll be using juicy grape tomatoes in this summer pasta, and pairing grilled chicken with a simple cherry tomato salad.

How might these events change how you enjoy the season's tomatoes?

SEE THE RECIPES:
Penne with Grape Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Cherry Tomato Salad

Comments

[VeggieGirl]

Thank goodness that cherry-tomatoes and grape-tomatoes (the only two tomato varieties that I eat, really) were NOT affected by the salmonella outbreak - otherwise, I think I'd go crazy without tomatoes!!

[Amy]

Since I normally buy the grape tomatoes, which are fairly pricey, I don't get them too often, so I'm probably OK. One day. . .I wanna grow my own, then there won't be any danger of them!

[Steamy Kitchen]

I grow my own using an Earthbox - which produces MASSIVE crops - I end up giving them away to neighbors...friends...ANYONE. Even sliding them into unlocked cars at the supermarket.

[Karen]

I'm so happy that New York hasn't been a source of the outbreak! That means I can still visit my local farmer's market and enjoy tomatoes! It's a good thing, because I've been dreaming of fresh-picked, juicy tomatoes since January!

[Regan]

One of my fastest dinner standbys is this: I saute a few cloves of garlic in good olive oil, then add two containers of cherry tomatoes,letting them cook until they burst. I use this as a sauce for spaghetti or linguine--often topped with a fried egg! Yum!

[DrKristen]

This gives us yet another reason to eat local and organic! When I hear things like this and last year's spinach recall, I become extremely grateful that I live in an area with such an abundance of local and organic food. Locavores unite :)

[Adina]

Regan, I love sauteed cherry tomatoes for pasta, too! I also like to stir in some torn fresh basil as the tomatoes cook -- it tastes so much brighter than regular tomato sauce.

[Jane]

So funny, I just wrote about my favorite tomatoes on my food blog, which are splendido, and someone linked to this article posted the same day! I too am so happy that the "little" tomato varieties are safe...they are my favorites for sure! I'll even cut them up for sandwiches, which is a bit awkward to eat but oh so tasty.

I just need to go martha-style and start growing my own tomatoes...one day! :)

[Melissa]

Like Drkristen, I also live in an area with a great abundance of locally grown everything. I go out of my way to support my neighbor farmers.

This latest "scare" is just more reason for everyone to DEMAND to know where our food source come from - I'm talking state, country, how is it shipped, how long from farm to market,is it treated chemically, etc....

Everyone needs to take responsibility for what we put in our bodies. I don't care if it's Milk or Milk Duds - there is no reason not to educate ourselves.

No more pointing the finger at the USDA when we have had our collective heads in the sand. Ask questions at your local grocer and expect answers.