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Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Prep an organic tomato and more

Another thing easy to prep without a knife. We used a 1/2inch diameter tube corer. 

It may be a little old skool simple, but it's part of a set of inter-stackable fruit corers/pitter. Maybe a set of new tube benders looks similar or a simple 1/2" piece of aluminum or stainless tubing will do on the cheap (under $5). see picture below.  It's a simple process that can be done before skinning them. Simply use the end of the corer angled to scoop a little under the remaining stem at the top of the tomato. Then cover the remaining stem with the corer upright. press down into the tomato about halfway and "snap the core" by angling the corer up to 40 degrees. and remove the coring tube. Sometimes you'll have to give it a second try if you don't see part of the core dangling out of the corer.- you can also push the corer through the tomato if desired - Then flip the corer upside down and tap it on the cutting board, and the core should fall out.  

Coring tomatoes helps to remove the components that contain the bitter parts of the nightshade directly connected to the stem. It makes a difference the longer the tomatoes are cooked, or if you have a sensitivity to plants in the nightshade family. Also see, removing the skins of a tomato with a quick dip in boiling water.

Problem: I didn't core my tomatoes, or they taste bitter: 

To sweeten normal tomato sauce, you can add a little plain apple sauce or cook a slice or two of apple with the sauce-- just as you would use sugar. Just remember to be cautious using apples if you plan a meal with potatoes. The only other issue is that apples contain malic acid - for allergens. Tomatoes have citric acid 

Warning: To add carrots is another way to sweeten tomato soup or sauce but some allergy sufferers are fine unless triggered by eating carrots. Be sure to note all ingredients on a card for a potluck! And, depending on the situation, prepare single servings to go around. ie., the Tomato Stew recipe at 6 quarts is 24 - 8 oz servings (jar). 

Why organic (non-GMO) tomatoes?

Organic tomatoes are as close to homegrown as we can buy at the store. Also, some genetically modified nightshade family of plants - tomatoes, potatoes, aubergine/ aka eggplant,  has been engineered for use in pesticides since at least the 90s. That means the natural toxin profile of these plants was enhanced for processing in pesticides. 

Today, growing heirloom tomatoes at home and canning them for the cold months is a treat for summertime and warm weather tastes. They easily grow in sandy soils too.  


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