slicing tomatoes--horizontal or vertical?

[ewatkins]

I love being able to ask my wacky questions on this BB. My SIL, who grew up in California near huge tomato farms, told me that slicing the tomato vertically (top down) would help it hold together better, as for sandwiches. Does any one else do this? It does seem to work, but DH thinks I'm weird.

[funnybone]

For sandwiches, I have always sliced horizontally. Never thought to slice it vertically. I will have to try that next time.

[BlueMoose]

Horizontal slicer here.

[makedah]

Perhaps I will try your SIL's method. I slice horizontally (but I don't eat tomatoes that often, anyway).

[Gail]

Originally posted by ewatkins:
I love being able to ask my wacky questions on this BB. My SIL, who grew up in California near huge tomato farms, told me that slicing the tomato vertically (top down) would help it hold together better, as for sandwiches. Does any one else do this? It does seem to work, but DH thinks I'm weird.

No, no. Slicing on the diagonal would be weird. Just for the record, I've done it both vertically and horizontally and frankly don't think one way works much better than the other.

Ain't this a great thing: you get to ask wacky questions, I get to give wacky answers... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif


[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 06-05-2001).]

[lorilei]

Hey... I resemble that remark!

I slice my tomatoes on the diagonal!! I find it gives my dishes a more aesthetically pleasing aura. And the aroma! By god, you can't beat the aroma of diagonal tomatoes!

[Gail]

Originally posted by lorilei:
Hey... I resemble that remark!

I slice my tomatoes on the diagonal!! I find it gives my dishes a more aesthetically pleasing aura. And the aroma! By god, you can't beat the aroma of diagonal tomatoes

I rest my case. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif



[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 06-05-2001).]

[Trish K]

Vertical! I was taught that this is the "French Method" of slicing tomatoes. I do think it tends to keep the juice/seeds from escaping a bit better than with horizontal slices. As an Iowan, I can scarcely wait until the latter part of July for the home-grown beauties to make their way into my kitchen. Heaven!

[SandyM]

shhhhhh.....quiet everyone......I hear Jewel approaching........ http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[rockydog]

horizontal

[kwormann]

Sandy...why is Jewel approaching....she hates tomaotes.... (like the italic whisper???)

[TamiK]

I'm strictly a horizontal girl myself--don't tell my husband! Seriously, have you ever seen vertically-sliced tomatoes in a restaurant? I may try the diagonal method,though. Oh, to be drunk on the heady aroma of diagonally sliced tomatoes!!

[Gail]

Originally posted by TamiK:
I'm strictly a horizontal girl myself--don't tell my husband! Seriously, have you ever seen vertically-sliced tomatoes in a restaurant? I may try the diagonal method,though. Oh, to be drunk on the heady aroma of diagonally sliced tomatoes!!

Oh, geez, Lori! Now see what you started!

[SandyM]

Originally posted by kwormann:
Sandy...why is Jewel approaching....she hates tomaotes.... (like the italic whisper???)

I'm dying here - I thought your parens quote read "like the Italian whisper????" I was gonna ask how does an Italian whisper, but then thought better, and re-read it. I'm German, and we all know, German's can't whisper - hehehe.

Anyway, I was being a bit ironic in my post about Jewel. Guess it was lost in the translation. Kinda like me, responding in a post about tofu. Not gonna happen.

[lorilei]

Originally posted by TamiK:
Oh, to be drunk on the heady aroma of diagonally sliced tomatoes!!

Now you're talking http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif There's nothing like that Great American Lycopene buzz!


[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Jewel]

Originally posted by SandyM:
shhhhhh.....quiet everyone......I hear Jewel approaching........ http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Talkin' about me behind my back, huh? You know telling people you're not into raw tomatoes is like telling them you like to kick puppies for the fun of it. They gasp! They shake their heads in disbelief! The horror of not liking raw tomatoes! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

I'll have you know I buy about a pound of tomatoes per week during the summer to use in special dishes, and use canned tomatoes all year round! I just REFUSE to eat the nasty, gelationous 'tomato goo' in the raw ones, and when I can get away with it I will use my Boat Motor (immersion blender) on the more chunky canned tomatoes without my husband noticing too much. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

And to answer the poll...If I'm slicing for DH's BBQ Hamburgers or any other 'display' plate I slice horizontal and put up with the extra goo because he likes them that way, thinks they make a better presentation. If I'm slicing to chop for recipes, then I'm a Vertical Wedgie Girl (sounds kinky, huh??) I slice them in vertical quarters, then remove the seeds and goo from the wedges with my thumbs before chopping. Much cleaner, and I can usually get the goo-nausea under control before I pick up the knife again to chop! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Sandy, your day will come...we'll find something besides tofu that sinks your battleship!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[Julie A]

BlueMoose - your Mom knows what the good things in life are!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I'm a horizontal slicer - by habit. Perhaps I should try it vertical (this is starting to sound kinky)

[browneye]

Originally posted by BlueMoose:
Hey Jewel...
I do the vertical wedgie, too sometimes.

Anyway, you get a lot more lycopene from cooked tomatoes than raw.

When tomatoes are in season my mom likes to eat a sliced up tomato on toast, lightly salted...for breakfast! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

In summer when my tomatoes are in season, I like to heat a frying pan, with a little olive oil, quickly sear sliced tomatoes on both sides, with salt and pepper, and pile them on crunchy toast- preferably day-old French or Italian- For Breakfast! YUMMY!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif



[This message has been edited by browneye (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Jewel]

Originally posted by BlueMoose:
Hey Jewel...
I do the vertical wedgie, too sometimes.


This either sounds like a really fun dance after you've had a few margaritas, or something that you give your little brother when he farts in the car... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[kwormann]

mmmmmm tomatoes for breakfast! I love white beans with tomatoes stuffed into a pita for breakfast!

[AD]

I believe I cut mine vertically too. I just find it easier for me for some reason. I have always cut it in 6 or 8 wedges. I don't believe I've ever made it into slices before.

[schuh]

If Jewel does the Vertical Wedgie, I do the Horizontal Mambo.

Yep, horizontal slicing all the way. And the best tomatoes have more "meat" and less "goo."

[SandyM]

Originally posted by Jewel:
Talkin' about me behind my back, huh? You know telling people you're not into raw tomatoes is like telling them you like to kick puppies for the fun of it. They gasp! They shake their heads in disbelief! The horror of not liking raw tomatoes! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

I'll have you know I buy about a pound of tomatoes per week during the summer to use in special dishes, and use canned tomatoes all year round! I just REFUSE to eat the nasty, gelationous 'tomato goo' in the raw ones, and when I can get away with it I will use my Boat Motor (immersion blender) on the more chunky canned tomatoes without my husband noticing too much. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

And to answer the poll...If I'm slicing for DH's BBQ Hamburgers or any other 'display' plate I slice horizontal and put up with the extra goo because he likes them that way, thinks they make a better presentation. If I'm slicing to chop for recipes, then I'm a Vertical Wedgie Girl (sounds kinky, huh??) I slice them in vertical quarters, then remove the seeds and goo from the wedges with my thumbs before chopping. Much cleaner, and I can usually get the goo-nausea under control before I pick up the knife again to chop! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Sandy, your day will come...we'll find something besides tofu that sinks your battleship!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

You make me giggle. I don't think you're evil for not liking raw tomatoes. Just a little curious to me. I adore your heady description of a tomatoe's innards. You're still a joy to me.

And as far as your last statement? That would be foie gras. Nuff said???? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[BlueMoose]

Hey Jewel...
I do the vertical wedgie, too sometimes.

Anyway, you get a lot more lycopene from cooked tomatoes than raw.

When tomatoes are in season my mom likes to eat a sliced up tomato on toast, lightly salted...for breakfast! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

[SusanL]

And this is what I miss while I am at work with no time to get on the computer... I need to retire so that I can get in on the fun during the daytime...
Alas, I am ADD sometimes I do horizontal, sometimes the wedgie; depends on my mood- or the recipe! I can go either way!!

[This message has been edited by SusanL (edited 06-08-2001).]

[jesses584]

maybe i'm the odd one out but i never thought about horizontal or vertical on a tomato. they are generally round so when i slice it i just pick a side, any side and try to make them even sized. although diagonal sounds like fun.

They are so expensive right now i am growing my own this year rose and brandywine both heirloom and some heirloom cherry toms...