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Cherry tomatoes

What are cherry tomatoes? About the ingredient cherry tomatoes. Including 322 recipes with cherry tomatoes, nutrition data, photos, and where to find it.

About

Cherry tomatoes are slightly smaller and sweeter than conventional tomatoes. They are a popular variety of tomato around the world, and they can be found in a wide assortment of dishes from North America to Asia.

grape tomatoes

They are also remarkably easy to grow, and they mature quickly in temperate zones. Since cherry tomatoes can get pricy at the grocery store, some consumers prefer to grow them at home, where they can flourish like weeds under the right conditions.

Many cherry tomatoes are about the size of a thumb tip, and sometimes somewhat larger. They are often about cherry sized, which is probably how the small tomatoes got their name. They are round to oblong, with colors which may range from green-streaked heirloom varieties to rich, glossy red. Despite being small in size, cherry tomatoes are packed with flavor, and they are often quite sweet to boot.

cherry tomatoes sliced

How To Use

There are a number of uses for cherry tomatoes. They can be used like regular tomatoes in a lot of recipes, although cooks should take the sweetness into account.

They are excellent in salads and other appetizers, and can be used whole or cut in half. Some cooks like roasting or grilling them, while others enjoy them raw as snack tomatoes. This wise Greek author happens to like them in guacamole and salsas.

The sweetness of cherry tomatoes can complement a wide range of foods, and it intensifies with cooking.

cherry tomatoes

How To Grow

To grow cherry tomatoes at home, start by sprouting seedlings in a greenhouse or purchasing seedlings from a garden store.

Plant the seedlings after the last frost in rich soil worked with compost and mulch. The plants prefer a bright, sunny spot with minimal wind, and they should be staked so that the vines have room to grow. S

taking also keeps the fruit off the ground. Water the cherry tomatoes well when planting, and water every two or three days.

Try to keep water off the leaves, and fertilize approximately every two weeks.

cherry tomatoes

Within weeks, the seedlings will start to produce small yellow flowers, which will mature into cherry tomatoes. The tomatoes can be picked when they are glossy and evenly coloured, except in the case of streaked heirloom tomatoes.

A handful of plants will produce a large volume of the small tomatoes, especially once they really get going in the hot summer months. In cooler climates, cherry tomatoes grow best in a greenhouse, especially if temperatures are below 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 NLEA serving (148g)
Amount per Serving
Calories 26Calories from Fat 2
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.3g 0%
Saturated Fat 0.0g 0%
Trans Fat ~
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 5.8g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Sugars 3.9
Protein 1.3g
Vitamin A 25% Vitamin C 31%
Calcium 1% Iron 2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

Where found

Cherry tomatoes are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Cherry tomatoes are a member of the Vegetables and Vegetable Products USDA nutritional food group.

How much do cherry tomatoes weigh?

measure grams
1 cup cherry tomatoes 149
1 cup, chopped or sliced 180
1 Italian tomato 62
1 cherry 17
1 large whole (3" dia) 182
1 medium whole (2-3/5" dia) 123
1 slice, medium (1/4" thick) 20
1 plum tomato 62
1 small whole (2-2/5" dia) 91
1 slice, thick/large (1/2" thick) 27
1 wedge (1/4 of medium tomato) 31
1 slice, thin/small 15
1 NLEA serving 148

In Chinese:樱桃西红柿
British (UK) term: Cherry tomatoes
en français:tomates cerises
en español:tomates cherry

Recipes using cherry tomatoes

There are 314 recipes that contain this ingredient.

5 Layer Quinoa Lasagna
Alpine Mushroom Pasta
Artichoke and Baby Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Arugula and Cherry Tomato Salad with Avocado and Croutons
Arugula Cherry Tomato Salad with Balsamic Shallot Vinaigrette
Arugula Salad With Lemon Parmesan Dressing
Arugula, Artichoke and Cherry Tomato  Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette
Arugula, Cherry Tomato, Corn Salad with Paremesan
Asparagus and Roasted Tomatoes with Citrus
Bacon Bacon Deviled Eggs
Baked Tomato and Cheese Shells
Basil Pesto Cherry Tomato Pizza

All 314 recipes

References

Usda nutrition data over 8 years ago
Wiki entry for cherry tomatoes almost 13 years ago

Created: Last updated:

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