Annie and LJ are a fictional couple introduced to readers of the Healthy Healing Eats blog in January 2020.  Their storyline promotes healthy eating and earth-friendly practices.

“Huge,” exclaimed Annie.  “Wow LJ did these tomatoes come from our plants? They are amazing.”

“They did come from our garden, which is exploding right now with tomatoes.  These big beefsteaks are Neves Azorean Red. They have a rich flavor and are excellent in sandwiches, salads, and especially this Panko-Crusted Beefsteak Tomatoes and Cilantro Garlic Pesto dish. Neves are easy to grow and can produce fruit weighing up to three pounds.  Did you know Americans eat 12 million tons of tomatoes every year?”

“I’m not surprised since tomatoes are an excellent source of Lycopene, an antioxidant that supports eye health.  Studies show that the higher the blood level of Lycopene, the lower the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.  Lutein and beta-carotene are nutrients found in tomatoes and protect against macular degeneration and the onset of cataracts. Are these Roma tomatoes?” asked Annie as she picked up an oblong fruit.

“Yes. Since we both like homemade tomato paste, I planted these Heidi tomatoes. They have a reputation as a rich, full-flavored fruit.  They are easy to grow, will continue to produce indefinitely, and resist foliage disease remarkably well.”

“Eating tomatoes is a good habit that goes back to the Aztec diet of 700 AD. These luscious little lovelies must be the Sungold cherry tomatoes. Their pale apricot-orange color is distinct, and so is its flavor.  They have a rich and sugary taste, which makes them ideal for a Cherry Tomato salad, and will continue to produce until the first frost.”

“Annie, when tomatoes were brought to Europe by explorers, they were treated as poisonous by the wealthy.  In the 1500s, the upper class used pewter flat wear and dishes. Pewter is a metal alloy that includes lead.   Because tomatoes are high in acid, it caused the lead in the eating utensils to leach, resulting in poisoning and death.  The poor who ate off wooden dishes had no such problem; therefore, tomatoes were food for the lower classes.

“To bad for the upper class; I love these Cherokee Green tomatoes. These heirloom beauties are a bit temperamental to grow, but well worth the effort. They stay green even when they are ripe and are known as the tastiest and flavorful green tomatoes.  I want a Fried Green Tomato right now!”

LJ laughed, “In the words of Zac Posen:

At the end of the day, you can’t compete with Mother Nature. If you’ve got a great tomato, just a pinch of sea salt is all you need.

Look at these Indigo Rose ornamental blue tomatoes. Indigos are a source of the antioxidant anthocyanin known to protect against heart disease, high cholesterol, and breast cancer.  They go well as a colorful and delicious Indigo Rose Tomato salad. These exotics grow on a beautiful ornamental plant.  The clusters consist of 6-8 2′ tomatoes that are jet black outside and deep red inside. The plant produces purple-tinged leaves and is disease-resistant.”