Former Club President Joe Cavone - affectionately known as “Tomato Joe” - shared his knowledge of tomatoes - and a sampling of different varieties - at our meeting on August 7, providing “news to use” on different types and kinds of tomatoes along with tips on buying, using and growing them.
Some of Joe’s basic info:
- Buy tomatoes locally or at farm markets.
- Store tomatoes upside down (to help the ripening process) in a shady area.  Don’t store tomatoes in the sun or in the refrigerator.
- Plum or paste tomatoes are great for sauces, preserving and canning. When you make tomato sauce, add a whole peeled carrot and a whole onion to absorb the acidity and put the natural sweetness back in.  No need for processed sugar.
- Beefsteak tomatoes - “this is what summer tastes like” - are very flavorful, meaty and juicy.