The tomato has long been a favorite throughout the world. It is officially classified as a fruit, although most consumers consider it a vegetable. Tomatoes have been proven to decrease the risk of prostate cancer. In a study by the National Cancer Institute it was suggested that the lycopene, an antioxidant, contained in the fruit is the likely cause of the decrease in cancer risk.
The word tomato in Italian is poma amoris which translates to love apple. One would assume since the Italian foods are famous for their tomato bases that the largest tomato crops would be in Italy. The assumption would be incorrect. California is the largest producer of tomatoes in the world, churning our one half of the tomatoes use across the Earth.
With all these positive things going on for the tomato the juicer has come back in vogue. There are two types of juicers. Hand crank or manual juicers and electric ones. Either is an efficient way to crush tomatoes. The amount you need to crush and how quickly will help you choose which one is right for you.
Hand crank or manual juicers offer many benefits. They can be used inside or outside. You need to assure that they have a strong fastener to attach them to the work surface. Hand juicers do smaller batches at the time. They are usually made of plastic or stainless steel. Plastic models are cheaper, but of course stainless last longer and are easier to clean. Crushing tomatoes is messy business and many people prefer to do it outside. Having the manual machine makes this transition much easier.
Electric juicers can do larger batches quicker. If you have a lot of tomatoes to do you might consider this option. When choosing a machine look at crushing capacities, efficiency, fasteners and output slots. The machine should have two output slots. One slot is for chunkier results and the other for thinner output. You need a versatile machine to accomplish the different recipes you will want to make. Watch out for aluminum machines as they will rust and have to be carefully cleaned and thoroughly dried.
Recipes for tomatoes are only limited by your imagination. In addition to Italian cooking, Southern recipes utilize a lot of tomatoes. Do not hesitate to charge out on your own and make up recipes as you go. Foods like spaghetti sauce can be experimented with and usually turn out with positive results. Ask family and friends about recipes. Do an internet search. Go to the local library and check out organic cookbooks. The resources for recipes are tremendous.
So break out the recipes and the juicer and get started making delicious foods today. If you cannot grow your own head on down to your local farmer’s market for fresh local tomatoes. You may also want to consider canning or freezing tomatoes are sauces for the winter. Whatever you decide you be glad to have the juicer on hand to make the job quicker and easier.
