Roma Tomatoes
By: Barnaby Dorfman

About

A short, oval-shaped variety of tomato common in Italy and used in making Italian dishes, especially sauces. Their shape makes it especially easy to scoop out the seeds. Resembling grapes. Roma tomatoes are particularly good for cooking, they have fewer seeds and are meatier, and are great for canning and sauces.

Information
Other names: Plum Tomatoes, Italian Roma Tomatoes, Paste Tomatoes, Italian Tomatoes
Translations: Roma Tomāti, Romų Pomidorai, Roma Tomate, Roma rajčica, Cà chua Roma, Pomidory Roma, Roma-tomaten, रोमा टमाटर, Roma Tomates, Рома Помидоры, Ρόμα Ντομάτες, الغجر الطماطم (البندورة), 로마 토마토, Roma Rajčata, Роми Парадајз, Roma kamatis, 罗马番茄, Els tomàquets Roma, Roma Paradižnik, Roma Paradajky, Roma Pomodori, רומא עגבניות, Roma Tomater, Roma Tomat, ローマトマト, Tomates Roma, Roma-Tomaten, Roma Tomater, Roma Tomater, Los tomates Roma, Рома Помідори, Roma Tomaatit, Домати ромите


Physical Description
Small, smooth, usually red in color, acidic, juicy, egg or pear shaped.
Colors: They come in a variety of colors but are usually red with green stems


Tasting Notes
Flavors: Sweet, acidic, sour
Mouthfeel: Soft, Juicy
Food complements: Grated cheese, Basil, Goat cheese, Olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, Garlic, Onions, Shallots
Wine complements: Red wine, Cabernet savignon, Merlot, Zinfandel
Beverage complements: Tea, Ginger ale
Substitutes: San marzano tomatoes, Amish paste, Hungarian italian, Or opalka tomatoes


Selecting and Buying
Peak: may, june, july, august
Choosing: Look for Roma Tomatoes that are nice and red in color, also look for ones that are plump. Heaviness for their size indicates a lot of juice.
Buying: To get the best Roma tomatoes, you should go to an open farmer's market, where they are grown fresh and in season during the summer months. Hot-house grown Roma tomatoes are available year-round at most grocers.

Procuring: Roma tomatoes are usually grown in warm climates, such as Italy, parts of North America and Mexico.


Preparation and Use
Roma tomatoes make a wonderful tomato sauce.  They are meaty and have very few seeds.  These tomatoes are normally chopped up into small pieces and sprinkled over small dishes.
Cleaning: Always rinse with water to clean and remove any pesticides.


Conserving and Storing
Never refrigerate tomatoes. Store in plastic container to keep fresh.


Social/Political
In India, Roma tomatoes are used in ceremonial dishes to honor the dead.
History: Tomatoes where first documented in Southern and Central America. The Aztecs are known as the first to use tomatoes in cooking. After he invaded Mexico, Cortez brought tomatoes back to Europe where their future as a food source was not immediately obvious. Originally thought to be poisonous, they eventually gained popularity and are now one of the world's favorite foods.