Fun Fact: Tomatoes are botanically a fruit but culinarily treated as a vegetable—so they live in both worlds!
Botanical definition: Fruits develop from the flower of a plant and contain seeds. By that logic, tomatoes are fruits, same as cucumbers, bell peppers, and eggplants.
Culinary use: Because tomatoes are savory and used in salads, sauces, and main dishes, most people classify them as vegetables when cooking.
Sweet and savory flavors combine in this recipe for Peachy Tomato Salad courtesy of The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook (Rockridge University Press). This delicious side pairs best with grilled fare.
Peachy Tomato Salad (Serves 2)
2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced into wedges
2 ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Toss the peaches, tomatoes, and red onion in a large bowl.
Season to taste, add the olive oil and lemon juice, and gently toss.
Serve at room temperature.