It's widely debated whether tomatoes are a fruit or a vegetable. From a cooking, nutritional standpoint, yes, tomatoes are fruits because they grow on a flower and they contain seeds which go on to grow into flowers, too.

How to peel tomatoes?

To peel tomatoes, bring some water to the boil on a stove and add a few tomatoes in at once. Leave for a small amount of time until the skin begins to peel back and then place in ice water carefully to cool. You should then be able to peel the skin back perfectly.

Can you freeze tomatoes?

Yes, tomatoes can be frozen whole, sliced, skinned, stewed or cooked.

How to make sun dried tomatoes?

Despite the name, you don't have to have the sun to cook up some sun dried tomatoes at home. All you need is a lined baking tray, an oven and, of course, some tomatoes. Preheat your oven, line sliced tomatoes on your baking tray and slowly heat for up to 3.5 hours when the tomatoes have dried out. Keep a close eye to ensure they do not burn.

Best Tomato Recipes

Transform the humble tomato in an array of recipes fit for every occasion. Explore the best recipes with tomatoes HelloFresh has to offer.

Black Olive, Serrano Ham and Red and Yellow Cherry Tomato Pizza

Ultimate Cheesy Tomato and Herb Ravioli

with Caprese Style Salad and Garlic Ciabatta

Korma Spiced Pea and Potato Cakes

with Baby Plum Tomato Salad and Coriander Yoghurt

Simply Seared Steak

with Green Bean, Cherry Tomato & Roast Potato Salad

Chicken & Chorizo Rice

with Cherry Tomatoes and Peppers

Basa in Creamy Cajun Sauce

with Spiced Chips and Tomato Salad

Korma Style Chicken and Tandoori Beef Skewers

with Aloo Gobi Mango Chutney Salad and Tomato Salad

Balsamic Chicken & Roasties Dinner

with Chicken, Cheese & Tomato Pesto Pasta Lunch

Cajun Chicken Breast, Chorizo and Tomato Pasta

Creamy Harissa Sausage Pasta

with Tomatoes, Olives and Walnuts

Smoky Mexican Style Beef Burrito Bowl

with Avocado and Tomato Salsa

Herby Lamb Meatballs in Chermoula Tomato Sauce

with Charred Courgette and Rice

21-Day Aged Sirloin Steak & Mustard Smashed Potatoes

with Spinach & Sundried Tomato Butter Sauce

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How to cook with tomatoes

The finest vine-fresh fruits are best enjoyed raw, in any number of salads and antipasti. The sweet-sharp quality of the juice is a perfect match for freshly picked Mediterranean herbs. With a pair of kitchen scissors, snip delicate slivers of basil, oregano, chives or even mint over the layered slices and dress with a drizzle of olive oil. Adding a good-quality soft cheese like mozzarella or burrata creates a classic Italian starter.

Cooked tomato is essential to a range of European and Latin American recipes. Diced and lightly fried with onion, garlic and other vegetables, it is sometimes known as soffritto – the base for a huge variety of tomato recipes, sauces and slow-cooked dishes. This combination also freezes well.

A number of recipes require de-skinning. Cut a small cross in the base of each fruit, place them in a saucepan and pour over boiling water. After a few minutes, the skins will start to loosen. Once they have been allowed to cool, you can peel away the segments of skin without breaking the flesh.

How to get the best out of intense flavours from tomatoes

You can enjoy intense flavours by preparing larger varieties in the oven. For a rich but simple side dish, place quarters in a baking dish, dress generously with oil, and roast them; add your choice of spices towards the end of cooking. Some that work particularly well include:

Zaatar
Chipotle
Paprika
Cayenne
Chilli

Don't be afraid to mix different forms of tomato in the same dish. Sun-dried and cherry tomatoes can both feature in a hearty salad. You can also add fresh pieces at the last minute to a rich and satisfying pasta al pomodoro.

If you’re following a health-conscious diet, this vegetable is a particularly good choice because it pairs well with other nutrient-rich foods. In a superfood salad, their distinct flavour provides a great contrast to a mix of leafy greens like kale, shredded broccoli or baby spinach that are valuable sources of vitamin K and calcium.

How to make the best homemade tomato sauce

Want to enjoy the taste of homemade tomato sauce, try this recipe and see if it takes you nostalgically back to your youth. All you need is some freshly prepared tomatoes, chopped finely, diced onion, sugar, malt vinegar, cayenne pepper and black peppercorns.

Mix the ingredients together in a large pot and allow to slowly boil for an hour.

Finally blend the softened ingredients together well until smooth - and there you have it!

Best Tomato Recipes

Butter Paneer, Lentil and Tomato Curry

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy Prawn Pesto Pasta

Ultimate Herby Chicken and Honey Bacon Salad

Butter Lentil and Tomato Curry

Moules Frites and Garlic Baguettes

Grilled Sea Bass

Gambas Pil Pil and Chorizo Patatas Bravas Tapas Feast

Gnocchi Primavera (v)

Chicken and Serrano Parmigiana Style Sandwich

Sirloin Steak and Sundried Tomato Butter

Pesto Salmon and Serrano Ham Gnocchi

Veggie Birria Style Cheesy Tacos

Creamy Green Veg and Pesto Pasta

Ultimate Greek Inspired Pastitsio Beef Pasta Bake

Halloumi Superbowl (v)

Halloumi and Roasted Vegetable Pasta