Chopped tomatoes question

[Joyce]

This is probably stupid, but I was going to make the corn pie with fresh tomato salsa tonight. I notice some recipes call for chopped seeded tomatoes, and others just call for chopped tomatoes. I have always seeded tomatoes before chopping. Is this correct, or should the juice and seeds be left in if the recipe does not specify???

[lorilei]

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif My advice is probably not particularly helpful, as I'm one of those people who NEVER seeds tomatoes, regardless of the recipe's instructions.

Seeding is basically done for aesthetic reasons (most people don't like seeds floating around in their soup, for instance). I prefer my food au naturale http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif So give me the seeds and all!!

[emilycat]

I'm with you, lorilei -- I never seed my tomatoes, and I peel them only if they're going to be cooked for a long time, like in a sauce or something ('cause then the skin gets all tough and wrinkly, and that can be kinda gross).

I wouldn't say there's really a right or wrong thing to do -- it's really just your preference.

[Julie A]

Definitely not a stupid question!!! However, this one might be...
I was looking at that recipe last night, and wondering if it really needs fresh corn (I have canned and frozen). What are you using, Joyce? Also, are there good local tomatoes where you are yet? I'm in Massachusettes, and it's a little early for really good tomatoes. I guess I'm picky, once you grow your own, store bought ones never cut it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Joyce]

I plan on making the pie with fresh corn. As for tomatoes, I now live in NC, but come from Ct. I dearly miss "beefsteak" tomatoes. I really don't care for the tomatoes available here. We have planted some, but I don't know how they will turn out down here.

[Gail]

According to one cookbook I have, The Pizza Gourmet, the author (who writes a bit as if he's on drugs, so I'm not entirely sure how sound his information may be) states that tomatoes with seeds tend to impart a more bitter taste than those without seeds. My feeling is that if the author of a recipe goes through the time to de-seed his tomatoes, there must be a reason-- thus if the recipe specifies no seeds, I do it that way. Otherwise I leave the seeds in.

[ewatkins]

ALso on the corn question -- even easier is the frozen white corn--you just pour out whatever amount you need. I judge by the look --some recipes call for too mch or too little. It's also one frozen vegie my kids will eat and it's handy to have around.

[KellyD]

Back to the corn question, one of my friends introduced me to the canned white shoepeg corn. Unless I happen to have fresh corn on hand, I NEVER use fresh anymore. The shoepeg is so tasty, and so much easier, and you can't tell the difference.