Tomato, ToMAHto

We all love the juicy sweet red ripe tomato straight from the garden, right?  Well, did you know there are juicy sweet GREEN tomatoes as well as many other colors?  Heirloom tomatoes are in vogue, and lucky us - we get to eat them!    Below is an indicator (in general) of tomato colors and their flavor profiles.In general, the RED and PURPLE colored variety of tomatoes are fuller flavored with more acidity and, some would say, a slightly "salty" taste.  Better Boys and Beefsteaks are in this color group - we all know them.  BUT>..when you're at the farmer's market, ask about the Cherokee Purple or Marmara - and see if one of your local farmers can supply you with some - or other alternatives of like taste.YELLOW and ORANGE tomatoes are lovely, and a bit less acidic.  Sometimes they're described as sweet.  Ask for Orange Strawberry or Pineapple!  A Balsamic reduction is perfect and beautiful on these tomatoes - sharp and tangy with the sweetness of the tomatoes bursts in your mouth.GREEN tomatoes are not always "unripe"!!!  There are green varieties, such as the Green Zebra (one of my favorites) that are very complex - sharp, sweet, tangy, salty...and stunning on a plate!Did you know there are even PINK and WHITE tomatoes?  Translucent, very thin skin make these varieties delicate and sweet without bitterness.  Harder to find - it's still worth asking for a "Great White" or a "Rose de Berne" ... your palate with thank you!!