Beefsteak tomatoes are big, juicy, meaty, and heavy; some weigh as much as four pounds. They have a classic tomato flavor and can range in color from pink to vibrant red to orange, depending on the variety. Most are smooth in shape, but there are some ribbed varieties, like Red Ponderosa and Coustralee. Depending on the variety, beefsteaks can be a sweet tomato.

Nutritional Value

Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C and are full of fiber. Field- or vine-ripened summer tomatoes are higher in vitamin C than greenhouse tomatoes grown in fall and winter, and fresh tomatoes have more vitamin C than after they're cooked or canned. Tomatoes are noted for containing the antioxidant compound lycopene, which may help protect against prostate cancer and heart disease.

Serving Ideas

The size of the beefsteak tomato makes it ideal for sandwiches and burgers. Try in a stacked salad sliced lengthwise layered with avocado and mozzarella. Dice and cook down with garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs for a quick pasta sauce. Roasting enhances the flavor of the tomato, roast slices of beefsteak tomato with olive oil, salt and pepper then add to soups and sauces.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

In France, around the time that the myth was dispelled that tomatoes were poisonous, people began to believe that the tomato was an aphrodisiac and called it pomme d'amour or love apple. Tomatoes are among the most common plants grown in home gardens.

Geography/History

The tomato originated on South America’s western coast. They are native to the Andes region of Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru, but are believed to have been domesticated in Mexico. It was in the early 1500s when tomatoes were introduced to Europe by returning Spanish colonists. In North America though tomatoes were eaten they were also believed by many to be poisonous because they are a member of the deadly Nightshade family. This was disproved publicly in 1820 when Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson ate a tomato on the courthouse steps of Salem, New Jersey. Botanically, the tomato is a fruit; however in 1883, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the tomato was legally a vegetable due to the way it was commonly used.

Seasons/Availability

Beefsteak tomatoes are available in-season during summer.