Fruits and Vegetable Facts

You don't think twice before piling tomato slices on your sub sandwich or dragging a french fry through a puddle of ketchup, but there was a time when people actually feared tomatoes. Here's the juicy history of the tomato.

By Chris Obenschain

What's for dinner? The answer is so much simpler when you can open the freezer door and pull out an entree, stew or sauce you prepared a few weekends ago. Tomatoes freeze well and can help you put dinner on the table in a snap.

By Chris Obenschain

It doesn't take much talent to cut a tomato well, but it does take some care. Here, five tips to help you turn a beautiful tomato into a slice, a chunk or a perfect, tiny square you can be proud of.

By Julia Layton

The use of a fresh tomato is seemingly endless. You can make pasta sauce, salsa or even eat it raw and whole. So, it only makes sense that you grow your own in your garden. Have too many coming off the vines? We'll tell you what to do with them.

By Sara Elliott

Tomatoes are easy to grow in your backyard garden -- maybe a little too easy. When the season's over, and you're stuck with more tomatoes than you know what to do with, it's a shame to throw them out. Now, you don't have to.

By Sara Elliott

Tomatoes are a staple vegetable found in countless recipes. If you want the freshest tomatoes for your fare, you can grow your own and can the leftovers before they go bad. We'll give you five tips to help you can your bounty.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Few things add flourish to a dish like a gorgeous garnish. And, thanks to the tomato's versatility, there are plenty of ways to make it the co-star of any plated affair.

By Laurie L. Dove

Combining ingredients like eggs, Worcestershire sauce and maybe even anchovies seems like a dangerous tack to take when making a salad, but it's boldness that makes culinary history. Who invented the romaine-based delight that is a Caesar salad?

By Jessika Toothman

With dietary guidelines urging you to eat more vegetables, you may be searching for culinary inspiration. We'll serve up some gorgeous fresh produce in this gallery along with a few serving tips. Grab a fork and dig in!

Tomatoes are one of the most vital and versatile vegetables (OK, fruits) to have around, but they can also be hard to check for quality. How can we know whether the tomato we're buying is going to be a juicy treat or a flavorless disappointment?

By Gallagher Flinn

Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest foods you can add to your diet. But, like anything, they can get boring if they're prepared the same way every time you eat them. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to spice them up.

By Stefani Newman & Emilie Sennebogen

How does a food associated with cannibalism and believed to be toxic become known as the love apple? Whether you say "tomato" or "tomahto," we have the answer.

By Molly Edmonds

Tomatoes are wonderfully versatile when it comes to preparation. They can be stewed, stuffed, baked, broiled, pureed, pickled, deviled, glazed, grilled and fried. But how do you match the tomato to the meal?

By Jessika Toothman

Autumn is a beautiful time of year when a crisp coolness fills the air. So bundle up and visit a pumpkin patch or get lost in a corn maze. It's time to enjoy all that mother nature has to offer.

An apple a day will keep the doctor away! Did you know that approximately 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States? Apples are a delicious fruit that is available year-round and they are full of vitamins and nutrients.

If you love history, mystery and happy endings, you'll enjoy learning about autumn apples. One of the earliest cultivated fruits, the apple has come a long way from its crabapple-like ancestors. Most apples have long and respected pedigrees.

By Sara Elliott

Steamy summer days and yellow ears of grilled corn are behind us. The produce aisle is stocked with red and blue Indian corn. Can you actually eat it? What's the story behind this strange starch?

By Victoria Vogt

Rich in vitamin C and low in fat, cranberries have been used for centuries in everything from medicine to a dye for clothes and fabrics. But what are some of the myths surrounding this popular fruit? And what can you do with it today?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Learning about recipe ingredient substitutions is a great way to become versatile in the kitchen. Learn about various recipe ingredient substitution dilemmas such as canned vs. fresh jalepenos, honey vs. sugar, and sherbet vs. sorbet.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

From Mom's apple pie to a healthy afternoon snack, this scrumptious fruit has long been a part of our culture. Learn all about the various baking apples from Granny Smith to McIntosh.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

The kumquat is a member of the citrus family resembling a tiny orange. It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be candied, pickled and made into chutney, jellies and jams. Come learn more about these delicious little treasures.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Tomato paste is a thick, rich concentrate used widely in Italian dishes. Read this article to learn more about the differences between tomato paste, tomato puree and tomato sauce.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Pineapples should smell aromatic and sweet in the supermarket. Read more tips in this article about how to pick a good pineapple.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Learn how to bake a potato, how to pick and store vegetables, and how to make Japanese-style vegetables at home in this this vegetable article. Come find out some more helpful culinary tips.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

If you've ever asked yourself "How many different types of chili pepper are out there and how can I tell which one are hot and which are mild?", you will definitely find your answer in this article.

By the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine