Roma Tomatoes – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are Roma tomatoes?

Roma tomatoes are the most popular tomato used for cooking and are also known as Italian or plum tomatoes. They are red, orange, and yellow and are oval. They have heavy skin, are thick, and have fewer seeds and juice than other tomato varieties. They are excellent for tomato processing and are perfect for making a rich sauce.

Where did Roma tomatoes originate from?

Roma tomatoes are relatively new, as they were cultivated around 1955. They are a hybrid of the Pan American tomato and the San Marzano tomato. Tomatoes typically originate from Mexico, but it is believed that the Roma tomatoes were brought to the United States by Italian immigrants based on demand. Roma tomatoes were created specifically for their disease resistance. They have adapted well and do reasonably well with cold and wet climates.

What are the nutritional value and benefits of Roma tomatoes?

Roma tomatoes offer a mighty amount of nutritional benefits that have a positive impact on diet. They’re only 37 calories per cup, so they are a great low-calorie option to include in your meals.

The antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals found in Roma tomatoes can help prevent the oxidation process in the body and help fight off free radicals that may cause diseases. They may also help prevent inflammation in the body.

Roma tomatoes have various nutrients like potassium, niacin, folate, and Vitamin B6, which help promote excellent heart health. These nutrients have also been shown to help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.

They are also rich in vitamin C, which helps promote a healthy immune system to defend against illness and repair body tissues, which is beneficial after an injury or surgery. Vitamin C also helps promote good bone and tooth health.

How are Roma tomatoes grown?

Growing Roma tomatoes is a long process. They first begin as seeds and start their growing process indoors for 6 to 8 weeks. They must get plenty of light; otherwise, their stems will not lengthen properly to hold the weight of the fruit.

Once the seedlings are between 6 to 8 weeks and are 5in tall, it’s time to start a hardening process. The hardening process slowly but surely introduces the Roma tomatoes to the outdoor elements for short periods throughout the day.

The process of introducing the Roma tomatoes to the outside elements takes about 7 days. After that period, it’s safe to leave them outdoors since they’ve grown accustomed to the climate.

You can choose to grow Roma tomatoes in pots or transplant them into the ground. It’s important to wait until after the last frost before transplanting them into the ground and to wait until after overnight temperatures are over 50°F.

Roma tomatoes need to be tended to frequently. They must get plenty of sun and water, and they should be pruned regularly.

Typically, all Roma tomatoes will ripen around the same time, around 70 to 80 days after planting.

When are Roma tomatoes in season?

Summer is the primary season for Roma tomatoes because they need a warm growing climate. That said, you can find Roma tomatoes year-round at your local grocery store.

Shop Roma tomatoes produce.

What should I look for when buying Roma tomatoes at the store?

Roma tomatoes should have a hefty weight to them when you pick them up. They should be firm yet also have a softness to them if you apply pressure to the skin. They will also have an aromatic smell toward the stem.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for Roma tomatoes via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for Roma tomatoes.

How to store Roma tomatoes

If you plan to enjoy the Roma tomatoes within a day or two, it’s best to keep them in a bowl on your countertop. However, if you won’t be using them for a few days, it’s best to store them in your refrigerator because the coolness will keep them fresher longer. Roma tomatoes can typically keep their freshness for 5 to 7 days.

How to tell if Roma tomatoes are bad

Roma tomatoes will have a sour smell and become very soft and mushy to the touch once they’ve gone bad. They’ll develop dark spots and blemishes on the skin.

What can I substitute for Roma tomatoes?

Roma tomatoes are a specific tomato primarily used for sauces and canning, so if that’s why you’re purchasing, then Margherita tomatoes might work. They work well when creating a hearty paste for sauces as well as in stews.

The lush heirloom tomato Amish Paste is a good option with meaty flesh like Roma tomatoes, although they’re juicier. If you’re looking for a deep and full flavor, the MirRoma plum tomato variety is perfect for tomato sauces and paste. The Oxheart tomato is another good option and is very big, almost weighing in at 3lbs. Much like Roma tomatoes, they don’t have many seeds and are very meaty, making them perfect for tomato sauces and paste.

If none of these options are available because they’re not in season, you could use cherry tomatoes like Sun Gold, Sweet 100s, grape, and Red Currant. They are sweeter than Roma tomatoes, and because their sizes differ, you may have to buy more for your needs. There are high-quality canned options available for purchase if you’re looking specifically to make tomato sauces or pastes.

Where to find and buy Roma tomatoes

Instacart offers the highest quality Roma tomatoes, as well as same-day pick-up or delivery choices that are convenient for you. You can use Instacart to start shopping and to look for available Roma tomatoes produce. If you choose the delivery option, you can decide to have your shopper leave your order at the door. Your shopper will let you know when it has arrived.

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