Tomatoes, round and plum

regionally Tomates or Jitomates Redondos y Guajes
FINDING: In all groceries and in farmers markets.
CHOOSING: Though tomatoes are available year-round in all groceries, they are rarely full of flavor unless you’re buying tomatoes that have been ripened on the vine. True vine-ripe tomatoes are difficult to ship far distances, so they will typically be grown nearby or be very expensive. Plum tomatoes are meatier than round tomatoes and produce thicker cooked sauces. Round tomatoes are juicier than plum tomatoes and produce more appealing salsas. Ripeness is more important than variety, however, since plum and round tomatoes can be interchanged in recipes.
STORING: At room temperature until thoroughly ripe. If you cannot use tomatoes once they are ripe, they may be refrigerated, though cold dulls their flavor. In the refrigerator, a ripe tomato will hold for a week; because of textural changes, refrigerated tomatoes are best cooked.
Archives
- Chicken Enchiladas in Brick-Red Mole
- Tangy Yucatecan Grilled Pork with Roasted Onions and Fresh Garnishes
- Shrimp Tacos with Crispy Garlic and Salsa Mexicana
- Roasted Tomato-Arbol Chile Salsa
- Mushroom Soup with Roasted Tomatillos and Cactus
- “Lazy” Salsa
- Frontera Grill’s Now-Classic Ceviche
- Charred Tomato-Nopal Salsa
- Simple “Minced” Ceviche for Tostadas
- Pork-and-Fruit Stuffed Chiles in White Walnut Sauce
- Creamy Chipotle Shrimp Tostadas
- Fish Soup with Chayote and Hoja Santa
- Grilled Tomato-Poblano Rajas
- Susana’s Black Mole
- Oaxacan Omelette
- Cilantro Salmon with Smoky Tomato-Habanero Lasagna
- Tostada Topping: Avocado-Dressed Shrimp a la Mexicana
- Salsa Mexicana
- Roasted Tomato Shrimp Cocktail
- Roasted Poblano Gazpacho
- Oysters Nuevo Vallarta
- Minced Pork with Almonds, Raisins, and Sweet Spices
- Hubert Murino’s Stuffed Lobster
- Mexican Paella with Shrimp, Mussels and Chorizo
- Grilled Shrimp with Mole Amarillo
- Dzik
- Burritos with Spicy Shredded Jerky
- Yucatecan “Pudding” Tamales with Achiote and Chicken
- Wild Mushroom Queso Fundido