Tomatoes are a delicious and nutritious dietary staple. You can eat them raw or cook them in your favorite recipes. They are great in salads, sauces, sandwiches, salsa, soup, and more. Tomatoes are also packed with nutrients and antioxidants and offer numerous health benefits. Their high lycopene content can even reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. 

April 6 is a special day in the world of fruits and vegetables. It is National Fresh Tomato Day. This day is set aside every year to appreciate just how versatile and delicious this wonderful fruit is. And yes, tomatoes are indeed fruits, not vegetables. In honor of National Fresh Tomato Day, we have gathered a few facts about tomatoes and compiled a few recipes for you to try out.  

The History of Tomatoes

Here is a fun timeline of tomatoes: 

700 AD – Aztecs began cultivating tomatoes. 

1493 – Christopher Columbus brought tomato seeds from the New World to Europe. 

1800s – Tomatoes became a popular staple in American dishes 

1930 – Over 10,000 varieties of tomatoes exist.  

2008 – Studies show the health benefits of tomatoes. Their high lycopene content reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer.

2013 – Fresh Tomato Day is introduced. 

A Day to Celebrate Tomatoes

What are the best ways to celebrate tomatoes? Here are a few ideas.  

1. Make a tomato salad: Add tomatoes, herbs, olive oil, vegan cheeses, avocado, cucumber, or any other delicious fruits and vegetables you want to include.
2. Visit a farmer’s market: Support local farmers and the community and bring fresh, delicious tomatoes home.
3. Host a dinner party with tomato-based dishes: Try bruschetta, caprese salad, pasta pomodoro, etc. Tomatoes are versatile, remember?
4. Take a cooking class: Learn how to cook with this delicious fruit.
5. Pick some tomatoes: Visit a local farm and pick your own tomatoes.
6. Host a tomato-throwing party. This may not be the most economical use of tomatoes, but it can be a lot of fun. Residents and tourists in the city of Bunol, Spain, enjoy a tomato-throwing festival called La Tomatina every year, though it occurs in August rather than on National Fresh Tomato Day.

Choosing Ripe Tomatoes 

When looking for the best tomatoes for your kitchen, follow three steps. Look. Feel. Smell 

Look: Look for bright red tomatoes with no black spots or bruises and smooth skin. 

Touch: Give it a little squeeze. It should be firm with just a little give. Softness is a sign the tomato is no longer fresh. Also, the heavier a tomato, the juicier it is.  

Smell: Try the sniff test. A tomato should have a sweet, earthy smell. 

Finally, remember that vine-ripened tomatoes are much better than the off-season tomatoes you often find at the grocery store. 

Tomato Recipes

Try out one of these 14 vegan tomato recipes. Each offers a unique way to use tomatoes in your everyday cooking, and they all promise to be a delicious hit. 

Roasted Tomato Soup From Maya Leinenbach on TikTok  

This Roasted Tomato Soup recipe is one of our favorites. We have made it many times, and it has always been easy and delicious. We love to include the roasted red peppers and plenty of fresh basil. It takes about an hour to prepare and goes great alongside a fresh salad (topped with plenty of tomatoes) or a tasty vegan grilled cheese sandwich.  

Easy Pasta in Fresh Tomato Sauce From Vibrant Plate 

 This fast and easy recipe is two in one. You can save some time by making the Fresh Tomato Sauce beforehand. Then you only need to cook your pasta, add the sauce, and top with some basil leaves and cherry tomatoes. The sauce will last about a week when stored in the refrigerator, and it works great in many different recipes. 

Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad From Minimalist Baker 

Inspired by the Caprese salad, this recipe only takes ten ingredients and thirty minutes to make. You will love this tasty mixture of tomato, basil, and vegan cheese with homemade croutons and balsamic vinaigrette. All the components are homemade. The recipe includes instructions for homemade croutons and vinaigrette. You also have three delicious vegan cheese recipes to choose from. This dish is great as an entree or side salad.  

Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers From The Picky Eater  

Rice paired with roasted vegetables like ripe tomatoes and sweet peppers are at the heart of this flavorful recipe. This dish is perfect for busy days because you can prep it ahead of time and bake it when you are ready. It tastes great with a drizzle of dairy-free tzatziki (recipe included) and fresh bread. Serve alongside a delicious Greek salad (recipe included). 

Baked Tomato Bruschetta From my Darling Vegan 

This easy, step-by-step recipe is excellent for anyone who wants to learn how to can their own foods. Your canned tomato bruschetta is sweet and tangy and lasts up to 18 months unopened. Make it ahead of time and use it to create a top-notch appetizer when you are ready. Just toast your baguette, then top with the bruschetta, vegan mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.  

Air-Fried Green Tomatoes From Forks Over Knives  

Fried green tomatoes are a staple in Southern cuisine, and these air-fried green tomatoes do not disappoint. A panko breadcrumb coating makes for a perfect, crunchy appetizer or side dish. They are delicious dipped in a creamy dill sauce. Serve them alongside vegan cornbread, green beans, and jackfruit jambalaya (all recipes included).  

Black Bean Salsa From The Garden Grazer  

Black bean salsa is great for parties or picnics. This easy recipe is very versatile and easy to customize with your favorite veggies or spices. The tangy cilantro lime dressing brings all the ingredients together nicely. Serve it as a dip, a topping, or on its own.  

Baked Ratatouille From Nutritiously 

This beautiful side dish packs a lot of flavor and nutrients. The recipe calls for zucchini, squash, eggplant, and tomatoes, but you can use any seasonal vegetables you like. You can even add some vegan cheese if you want to. Serve this dish warm with risotto, mashed potatoes, quinoa, focaccia, or French bread. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.  

Cucumber Tomato Salad From Allrecipes 

Marinated cucumber and tomato salad is a Southern classic. It goes with everything and only takes 15 minutes to prepare. Make it ahead of time, as it needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Serve this delicious, tangy side dish with macaroni, pasta salad, potato salad, or any other favorite main dish.  

Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta From Veggie Society 

The thin skin on sun-gold and red cherry tomatoes makes them ideal for making a savory, zesty, flavorful sauce. You can serve this delicious sauce over any pasta, but thin noodles are best. Garnish with fresh basil, other fresh herbs, or even roasted cherry tomatoes. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.

Mexican Rice From Dassana’s Veg Recipes  

Mexican Rice, also known as Arroz Rojo (red rice) or Spanish Rice, is a quick and satisfying dish that can be served as a side or a main dish. You can make this delicious long-grained rice with any vegetables you like. Carrots, cauliflower, baby corn, green peas, bell peppers, or broccoli are great choices. Add a few jalapeño peppers, green chiles, or cayenne for some extra spice. 

Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta from Foodie Finds

This delicious and creamy sauce is made with soaked cashews, roasted tomatoes, and garlic. It is packed with nutrients and boasts 9 grams of protein per serving. You can use raw or roasted cashews to make this sauce, depending on which flavor you prefer. The roasted cashews give a sweeter, smokier flavor. Serve over your favorite pasta and top with vegan Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes.  

Tomato Rice From Big Oven 

This tasty rice pilaf absorbs tons of flavors as it cooks in a blended, smooth vegetable stock. Plan ahead because the rice needs to soak for at least 2 hours. Cook it in your rice cooker, then serve garnished with fresh coriander.  

Vegan Tomato Pie From Holy Cow Vegan 

Another Southern classic, this Vegan Tomato Pie has layers of ripe red and cherry tomatoes topped with vegan cheese and mayo in a flaky crust. It tastes a lot like pizza with its gooey cheese, sweet basil, and delicious tomatoes. You can make your own pie crust or use store-bought. Either is fine. Be sure to follow the steps carefully to remove juices from tomatoes so the pie is not soggy. 

National Fresh Tomato Day is an ideal time to have fun, learn about this fantastic, versatile fruit, and try some new, delectable plant based recipes. Which activities and recipes will you try? Let us know in the comments. Have a very happy National Fresh Tomato Day!