This is the time of the year when gardens are peaking with a glut of tomatoes. As a way to make the most of this bountiful harvest, we came up with several easy recipes that would complement a late summer afternoon tea or luncheon.
The following fresh tomato recipes can be found in our website’s Recipe Section.
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Tomato Twiddle Sandwich Spread
- Spiced Tomato Tea Bread
- Tomato Lemon Tea Bread
- Spiced Tomato Jam
Alongside the recipes we thought it may be nice to talk a little about the history of the juicy fruit we've all come to love. While reading up on tomatoes we also came across some information about Girls' Tomato clubs from the early 1900's that seemed quite fascinating.
History Of Tomatoes
Wild tomatoes originated in South America and are primarily found in Peru and Ecuador, with similar varieties in Chile and Bolivia. They were first cultivated by people from the Inca empire and later spread northward through Central America, including the Mayan and Aztec civilizations in Mexico.
Historical accounts indicate that tomatoes were part of the diet of the Aztecs and Pueblo peoples of southwestern USA, and these groups ascribed certain cultural beliefs to tomato seeds. Early Spanish explorers introduced tomatoes to Europe, where they were initially considered poisonous, commonly referred to as "poison apples." Tomatoes were largely grown as ornamental plants for several centuries. By the 18th century, Europeans and colonial Americans began to include tomatoes in their diets, leading to widespread cultivation across various countries.
Girls’ Tomato Clubs
In 1910, Marie Samuella Cromer, a schoolteacher from rural South Carolina, started the girls’ tomato club. Cromer introduced agricultural education to young girls aged 9 to 20, teaching them how to grow, can, and sell tomatoes using small plots of land. The initiative expanded from a local lesson into a program that involved thousands of participants.
Members developed business and practical skills through growing and selling produce; for example, one participant earned $78 profit in 1913 (approximately $2,470 today), while another used her earnings to attend farm camp and save $60. Cromer's approach contributed to the foundation of 4-H clubs and influenced perceptions of girls' capabilities during that time period.
Today, the legacy of these tomato clubs demonstrates the impact that agricultural programs can have on youth education and development.