The Pulpy - Bubbly Tomato

Hi all. After a quite long time, here I'm back to post on TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum) - one of my all time favorite ingredient. Lets have a look over its use, origination and its multi-purpose values here..Tomato the red pulpy fruit as well as vegetable is a species that was said to be originated from South America. But now it is quite commonly cultivated throughout the world. The word Tomato was derived from the Spanish word 'tomate' and it was said to be first appeared in 1595. The average weight of a Tomato was said to be 100 grams approx.

As per some statistics, India ranks second in the top production of tomatoes in the world. Tomatoes are said to be rich in Lycopene which has many health benefits. Lycopene is a pigment present in almost all red fruits/veggies. It is believed that there are nearly 7500 varieties of tomatoes available all over the world which includes Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, Roma/Bangalore tomatoes, Heirloom tomatoes etc.,

The Tomato plant can be grown at almost all seasons in India. The plant can withstand upto 27 degree Celsius but they can't withstand frost. But their peak season is said to be from June to September.

Tomato is one of the prominent ingredient used in the form of both as a veggie and a fruit. Tomatoes are available in different colors , sizes and flavors. It is one of plant which is mostly welcomed by kitchen gardeners, since it can be grown at any moderate temperature zones. Due to its high acidic content, tomatoes was said to be the most canned fruit or vegetable.

Astonishing health benefits of Tomato :

            ~* Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin A, C and K. They are fat-free.
            ~* Just a single serving of tomatoes is said to give you 2 grams of fiber and they have rich water content.
            ~* Among all other fruits & vegetable, tomatoes were said to provide best ever protection against ihgh blood pressure, high cholesterol , heart diseases and strokes.
            ~* Tomatoes are widely used for protecting the skin and making it healthy. Beta-carotene enzyme present in tomatoes helps in protecting your skin against sun light damage and UV light damage.
            ~* The 'Lycopene' enzyme in tomatoes, helps in strengthening your bones.
            ~* Since tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C, they are the best antioxidants and helps to fight against cancer.
            ~* Tomatoes which are rich in folic acid, helps against depression .
            ~* Tomatoes helps in digestion .
            ~* Due to its high acidic content, tomatoes helps in curing pimples, rough skin, oily skin and aches.
         
A single post is not enough to explain all of its benefits. Lets check more about tomatoes in upcoming posts.
Lets check out some tomato face masks that gives you a healthy skin ..

Tomato Face Masks

For sun damage: Take 1-2 fresh tomatoes and mash them to form a pulp. Add a tablespoon of curd along with some oatmeal. Apply this mixture on your face, leave it for 5 or 10 minute before washing it off with cold water. This face mask will not only cure your sun burnt skin but also make it glow.

Against acne: Mix mashed tomatoes with a tablespoon of lemon juice and apply it on your face. Leave it until it gets dry. It is a very effective face pack to obtain glowing skin, remove skin oiliness and get rid of acne.  Most of all it helps in curing premature aging signs.

For fairer skin: Add a tablespoon of sandalwood powder to a mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice. Blend it until it becomes a paste. Apply this mask on your face for at least fifteen minutes.
Face Mask Courtesy : lifestyle.yahoo.com

I hope this would have helped us. Besides the above values, there are much more beneficial & astounding facts behind this plant but we are aware of only few of them.

By then next, lets check out my mother's one of the best delicious recipe made out of tomato...!

Tomato chutney :

Ingredients :

Tomato - 10
Fenugreek seeds - 2 tbsp
Mustard - 2 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 2 pinch
Red chili powder - 2 & 1/2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Oil - as per your need


Method :

Take a pan, fry the mustard and fenugreek seeds without oil. Let them cool for a while and grind them into powder using the mixer jar. Slice the tomatoes and grind them separately in mixer to make a puree. Now heat oil in a pan, add the tomato puree, turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt. Stir it well and let the puree to shrink until the raw smell of tomato vanishes. Then add this mustard-fenugreek powder to the gravy, cook it well and serve hot. Try out this delicious tomato chutney and share your comments.

 Finally after a series of hurdles, I had a chance to post it today. Hope it would reach many. Lets keep on spread the awareness on nature.

References :

timesofindia

beliefnet.com

huffingtonpost.com

lifestyle.yahoo.com

Images Source : Internet 
Thanks for reading.
Have colorful and Blessed days ahead :)