5 Unexpected Things to Do with a Tomato

The tomato is an amazing thing: Lycopene, the chemical that makes tomatoes red, seems to reduce the incidence of some cancers, such as prostate, stomach, and lung, and the more tomatoes you eat, the more benefit you get. Tomatoes are also packed full of vitamins C,  A, and K, as well as fiber, manganese, and potassium. Oh, and they taste good, too. These 5 unusual recipes are a great way to get your fill:

Make tomato gelato
This recipe is surprisingly simple and surprisingly delicious, plus you get bonus recipes for ricotta and basil gelati, too. Don't tell anyone what the secret ingredients are--just let them be bowled over by the astonishing flavor.
Try this recipe for tomato gelato

Everything you need to know to make the best-ever ice cream and gelato.

Make candied tomatoes
There's a candied cherry tomato recipe in the tomato gelato recipe, but this recipe is intriguing because it also includes a recipe for basil butter cookies. Plus, doesn't it look, well, interesting?
Try this recipe for candied tomatoes

Make tomato jam
Why buy ketchup when you can make your own fabulous (and easy) condiment? This recipe uses canned tomatoes, which are great, but you could just as easily use past-their-prime, bursting-at-the-seam tomatoes, too.
Try this recipe for tomato jam

The simple secret to making homemade jam.

Make tomato water
This is very Jean-Georges Vongerichten in the 1980s and would be perfect in a cocktail or as a broth for simply grilled fish or chicken and vegetables. Definitely something to impress dinner party guests with.
Try this recipe for tomato water

Make sangrita
Forget margaritas, this is the way Mexicans drink their tequila. Pour yourself a shot of a nice reposado and then follow it with a glass of sangrita. The sweet, sour, salty, spicy flavor of this drink is the perfect foil to the tequila. Salud!
Try this recipe for sangrita

25 more things to do with a fresh tomato--including top chefs' secret recipes.

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