Got tomatoes? What you need to know about tomato safety. Plus, great recipe alternatives.
A recent nationwide outbreak of salmonellosis has been linked to certain raw red tomatoes and products containing them. Although the specifics are still under investigation, here is what you need to know:
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is advising that consumers limit their consumption of raw tomatoes to cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes with the vine still attached and tomatoes grown at home. These tomatoes are not the likely source of this outbreak.
Avoid raw red plum, Roma or round tomatoes if you do not know what state/country they come from, as only tomatoes from certain states/countries are presently associated with the outbreak.
The FDA recommends eating raw red plum, Roma and round tomatoes ONLY only if grown and harvested from the areas that HAVE NOT BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK. Find an updated list of states and countries on the FDA's website.
Find more information from the FDA (http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html) or the Centers for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/saintpaul/).
What to do in the meantime? EatingWell has put together a list of recipes that are safe to eat with or without tomatoes. Here are some to get you started:
Main-dish recipe with cherry or grape tomatoes:
Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons & Parsley Brown Butter
Tomatoless pizza recipe:
Thai Chicken Pizza
Instead of raw tomato sauce, try this recipe for:
Basic Basil Pesto
Salsa substitute:
Avocado-Corn Salsa
Makes 8 servings, about 1/4 cup each
1 3/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
1/2 cup quartered grape tomatoes
1 medium avocado, diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons lime juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Toss avocados, tomatoes, corn, cilantro, lime juice and salt in a medium bowl.
By Carolyn Malcoun
When associate editor Carolyn Malcoun came to Vermont to attend New England Culinary Institute, she knew she didn't want to work in a restaurant but knew that she wanted to do something in the food industry. Luckily she discovered EatingWell, where she's able to combine her love of food and writing.
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