The Villages - April 2018 - 50

dIrectIons

1. In a large glass or plastic bowl, combine all ingredients and let marinate
in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
2. Serve over salad greens if desired.

Source: floridatomatoes.org

Tip: Add feta cheese, olives or diced pepperoni, if desired.

Florida Tomato
and Avocado Salsa

the tomato truth

IngredIents | serves 4-6

Fun facts about the juicy jewels of the vine

2 large Florida tomatoes, diced; 1 large avocado,
peeled, seeded and diced; 1/2 cup red onion,
chopped; 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped; 1/4 cup
fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 lime, juiced; 1 teaspoon
powdered cumin; Your favorite hot sauce; Kosher
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

*	 Although the tomato is technically a fruit, it often is
categorized as a vegetable.
*	 Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, potassium,
folate and vitamin K.

dIrectIons

*	 Although they are red when mature, tomatoes come in
a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green and
even purple.

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all
ingredients and stir.

*	 There are a variety of subspecies of tomatoes, each
with different shapes and flavors.

2. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired, using salt,
pepper and hot sauce.

*	 Tomatoes are approximately 95 percent water and
5 percent carbohydrates and fiber.

Notes: For hotter version, substitute a seeded
fresh jalapeno pepper for the bell pepper and use
toasted cumin seeds in place of ground cumin.

*	 One raw, medium-sized tomato contains around
22 calories.
*	 Tomato products, including ketchup, juice and tomato
sauces, are abundant sources of the powerhouse
antioxidant lycopene.

tomato tIps
Treat your tomatoes right - keep them out of the cold.
Did you know refrigeration prevents tomatoes from
ripening? Cold temperatures also can kill a tomato's flavor.
So whatever state they're in, there is never a good time to
store tomatoes in your refrigerator. Keep them ripe and
robust right on your countertop.

50

APRIL 2018

glorcza/iStock/Thinkstock

3 fresh Florida tomatoes, diced; 1 Florida cucumber, seeded and chopped;
1 red or sweet onion, chopped; 1 Florida green bell pepper, chopped;
1/2 bunch fresh Florida basil, hand torn; 1/2 bunch fresh Florida parsley,
chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to
taste; 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons olive oil

LarisaBlinova/iStock/Thinkstock

IngredIents | serves 4

JuSkz/iStock/Thinkstock

Fresh Tomato Chop Salad

Mahlebashieva/iStock/Thinkstock

Food
http://www.floridatomatoes.org
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - April 2018
