# Who else loves raw tomatoes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 4, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991 "2015-01-04T23:50:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/41 "2015-01-05T19:44:09Z")
Tomatoes have been my favorite food since I was little. Once, when I was six years old, my grandpa shipped a table to my mom via Greyhound bus and he put a box of cherry tomatoes in with it for me. For grocery store tomatoes, Campari are the best I’ve found. The Kumatos and most of the other small tomatoes at the store are pretty flavorless as far as I’m concerned. Once in a while they’ll have heirloom varieties out of season and those aren’t great either. For farmers market tomatoes, the Green Zebra is my absolute favorite (another green when ripe variety) with Black Krim and Cherokee Purple being my other staples. I buy a lot of different varieties at the market when they’re available but I can’t remember the names of the ones I’ve liked, except for those. There’s one Japanese variety that’s dark red with almost purple shoulders that’s kind of heart-shaped that tastes kind of spicy. Not my favorite but it’s an interesting one. Sometimes I’ll come home with 20 pounds of tomatoes for the week just for me! I tried the dry farmed tomatoes from one of the vendors this year and I didn’t care for them at all. I don’t know if it was the variety he planted, or what, but I thought they were pretty flavorless and the texture was mealy. He grows good potatoes and onions though. I don’t buy orange/yellow/white tomatoes because I like a tomato with a high acid content and those colors don’t seem to cut it for me. I will make an exception for that yellow German variety because they’re so pretty. Yellow outside with a bright pink middle. ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/42 "2015-01-05T19:48:26Z")
Oh, favorite tomato-food combinations: Slice of bread, slice of salami, grated cheese, put under broiler, remove and top with many chunks of a variety of heirloom tomatoes. Salt. Homemade macaroni and cheese with many chunks of a variety of heirloom tomatoes on the side. Salt. Cottage cheese mixed with chunks of tomatoes. Salt (but not a lot since cottage cheese can be pretty salty.) Chunks of tomatoes, chunks of cucumber, chunks of fresh mozzarella, freshly ground pepper & grated parmesan with croutons and Italian dressing. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/43 "2015-01-05T20:56:28Z")
Tomatoes – what’s not to love?? > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Has anyone else tried Campari tomatoes? I think they’re available year round, and I find them nearly as tasty as a good heirloom. When heirloom tomatoes are available and in season, I prefer those. Else, the Campari and Kumato are my go to choices. And those little grape and mini-heirlooms are delicious as well. I snack on them like they are candy. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/44 "2015-01-05T22:13:24Z")
Since everyone is sharing their favorite tomato recipes, here’s mine: 1 tomato Serves one. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/45 "2015-01-05T23:01:27Z")
Fresh beefsteak tomato about the size of a grapefruit, picked off the vine, sun warmed and sprinkled with sea salt and black pepper. Eat like an apple. Yum! My favourite sandwich is garden tomatoes, sliced thick on good, light toasted rye faced with mayo, s&p, with shredded old cheddar cheese. Food of the Frickin’ Gods! ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/46 "2015-01-05T23:54:48Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Since everyone is sharing their favorite tomato recipes, here’s mine: > > 1 tomato > > Serves one. that’s too much work. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/47 "2015-01-06T01:07:40Z")
Did I aver tell you about the time I worked on a farm? I got fired for planting a tomato in the wrong bed! ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/48 "2015-01-06T04:54:40Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > Best I can do at this time of year is see if the local supermarket has any decent looking "ugly ripe"s in stock. I agree that these are worth looking for. They don’t come close to proper home-grown tomatoes, but in the middle of winter they can at least remind you of what’s 6 months ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/49 "2015-01-06T05:50:18Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It’s cruel of the OP to start this thread now, when tomatoes won’t be available for another seven or eight months. Well, I have maybe ten pounds of San Marzanos in the freezer right now. I have yet to make them into pasta sauce. I think I will make a batch this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/50 "2015-01-06T16:42:07Z")
Tomatoes fresh off the vine, raw or cooked = food of the gods. Pick tomato off vine, cut into thick slices, sprinkle with a little coarse sea salt, enjoy. I eat more sandwiches in the summer just because a good sandwich should have a slice or two of raw tomato on it, and grocery store tomatoes in winter just don’t cut it. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/51 "2015-01-07T11:46:29Z")
Tomatoes are, no joke, my single favorite food. Better than ice cream. I look forward to tomato season like a child looks forward to Christmas morning. I will have nothing to do, however, with a bad supermarket or restaurant 'mater. mmm ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/52 "2015-01-07T18:32:13Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Crazy about 'em and devote a lot of time each year to growing hundreds, both for fresh consumption, dehydrating and canning. Is there anything finer in the realm of gardening than the first annual BLT? I make mine from lettuce and tomatoes I grow, bacon I raise and bread I make from scratch – sourdough, naturally. 🙂 We’re kindred spirits, here’s my post about my “[300 yard BLT](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=431447)”, meaning everything in the BLT came from within 300 yards of my kitchen table. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/53 "2015-01-07T20:32:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > There are people who don’t like raw tomatoes? 😕 Yes, yes there are. Maybe a defective taste bud gene, or a bad childhood experience in the school cafeteria. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/54 "2015-01-08T14:59:44Z")
If one were raised in a city, and never had a tomato other than the bizarre, insipid, mushy “tomato” found in a typical supermarket, I wouldn’t blame that person for claiming that they didn’t like raw tomatoes. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/55 "2015-01-08T16:27:54Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Yes, yes there are. Maybe a defective taste bud gene, or a bad childhood experience in the school cafeteria. Probably those same weirdos who don’t like cilantro! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/56 "2015-01-08T19:01:50Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Probably those same weirdos who don’t like cilantro! 😛 I’m told that people fall in to two groups: 1) Those who love cilantro and 2) those who think it tastes like soap. Poor bastards. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/57 "2015-01-08T19:14:20Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > We’re kindred spirits, here’s my post about my “[300 yard BLT](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=431447)”, meaning everything in the BLT came from within 300 yards of my kitchen table. LOL, we **are** kindred spirits! And of course it goes without saying that you made the mayonnaise yourself (or your wife did), too. 🙂 We are many days away from the annual Perfect BLT Day now, but you’re giving me inspiration to get my BLT lovin’ ass out there for early garden prep! Loved your 300 yard BLT description. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![May\_20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@May\_20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/May_20)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/58 "2015-01-10T23:51:11Z")
My children will not eat raw tomatoes. They don’t care for the taste of tomatoes, though one will eat pizza sauce and ketchup. Hubs and I love raw tomatoes. I used to raise a plant or two in the back yard, but I haven’t for several years. I may need to rethink that. There isn’t much better than a sun-ripened, freshly-picked tomato eaten out of hand with just a little salt. I will eat the “grape” tomatoes like candy when I can find good ones. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/59 "2015-01-11T02:23:21Z")
This year’s tomato seeds arrived today. Can’t wait for summer! ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991/60 "2015-01-11T02:25:18Z")
> [@Helena](#): > > This year’s tomato seeds arrived today. Can’t wait for summer! OoooOOOOOooooohhhhhh!!! Whad’ja get?? 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-loves-raw-tomatoes/708991.md?page=4)