Terrific Tomatoes

The Full Conversation

The complete script for this episode, with the two hosts, in eleven parts.

1. 01Intro

   Amiyah: Hey guys, hope y'all having a good day. How is y'all today?
   Poke: Doing great, sunny as ever over here. How are you, Amiyah?
   Amiyah: Feeling great and ready to learn something new.
   Amiyah: All right, let's spin the wheel and see what we have today.
   Poke: boom. Tomatoes!
   Amiyah: The wheel clicked to a stop on the tomato, the juicy red fruit that anchors so many savory dishes. The hosts explored a garden favorite that we usually treat as a vegetable.
   Poke: Oh, this is going to be a good one. Tomatoes has range.

2. 02History

   Amiyah: Let us go back in time. What is the story of tomatoes?
   Poke: Tomatoes were first grown in western South America and later cultivated by peoples in Mexico. Explorers carried the fruit to Europe, where it was at first grown only for its pretty looks.
   Amiyah: I did not know that at all.
   Poke: Once people embraced the tomato in the kitchen, it spread quickly. It became the heart of sauces and dishes across the Mediterranean and far beyond.

3. 03Fun Facts

   Amiyah: Okay, hit me with the fun facts.
   Poke: Tomatoes are botanically a fruit, since they grow from a flower and hold seeds.
   Amiyah: Wait, really?
   Poke: There are thousands of tomato varieties in many colors and sizes.
   Amiyah: Okay, that is so good to know.
   Poke: Tomatoes were once feared as poisonous in parts of Europe.
   Amiyah: I did not know that at all.
   Poke: Cooking tomatoes brings out a rich, savory depth of flavor.
   Amiyah: That tracks.
   Poke: Tomatoes belong to the same family as peppers and potatoes.

4. 04Varieties

   Amiyah: Let us talk varieties. What is out there?
   Poke: Tomatoes range from tiny and sweet to large and meaty.
   Amiyah: I am listening.
   Poke: Cherry tomatoes are small, sweet, and great for snacking.
   Amiyah: Roma tomatoes are meaty and ideal for sauces.
   Poke: I did not know that at all.
   Amiyah: Beefsteak tomatoes are large and juicy, perfect for slicing.
   Poke: That tracks.
   Amiyah: Heirloom tomatoes come in many colors with rich, varied flavors.

5. 05World Use

   Amiyah: I love this part. How do different cultures enjoy it?
   Poke: In Italy, tomatoes are simmered into sauces for pasta and pizza.
   Amiyah: Okay, that is so good to know.
   Poke: In Spain, ripe tomatoes are blended into the chilled soup gazpacho.
   Amiyah: I did not know that at all.
   Poke: In India, tomatoes add tang to curries and chutneys.
   Amiyah: That tracks.
   Poke: In Mexico, tomatoes form the base of fresh salsas.

6. 06Myth

   Amiyah: Let us bust a myth. What have we got?
   Poke: A lot of people think some people insist the tomato is strictly a vegetable.
   Amiyah: Oh, I love that.
   Poke: Here is the truth. The tomato is botanically a fruit because it grows from a flower and holds seeds. In the kitchen we simply treat it like a vegetable.

7. 07Fan Question

   Poke: We have a Fan Question of the Week. Here it is.
   Poke: Should I keep tomatoes in the refrigerator?
   Amiyah: Love this question.
   Amiyah: Ripe tomatoes taste best stored at room temperature, which keeps their flavor and texture lively. The cold of a refrigerator can make them mealy.

8. 08Host Opinions

   Amiyah: Here is where I land on this one, no sugar coating.
   Amiyah: I have to be honest, raw tomatoes are a hard no for me. The texture just gets me every time. Cooked down into a sauce though, totally different story, I am fine with that.
   Poke: See, this is why people tune in, the strong opinions.
   Amiyah: Amiyah loves sweet cherry tomatoes eaten like candy.
   Poke: Poke prefers a warm bowl of roasted tomato basil soup.
   Poke: Okay okay, fair, I will allow it.

9. 09Lightning Round

   Poke: Lightning round. Rapid fire, here we go.
   Poke: Tomatoes grow on leafy vines that need support.
   Amiyah: They ripen from green to red on the plant.
   Poke: Roasting deepens their sweet and savory flavor.
   Amiyah: There are tomatoes in yellow, orange, and purple too.

10. 10Recap

    Poke: Quick recap before we cook.
    Amiyah: The hosts learned that the tomato is a fruit we cook like a vegetable, once feared and now beloved, and the savory heart of sauces and dishes across the world.

11. 11Recipe

    Poke: Let us close it out with something delicious.
    Amiyah: Today we are making Roasted Tomato Basil Soup. The full ingredients and steps are right below.
    Poke: Thanks for spinning with us. Spin It. Learn It. Love It.™

Recipe Segment

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup