Make the most of British tomatoes

In true British style, the Spring weather might not be reliable enough to dust off your picnic rug, but why not get some friends or family over and enjoy some sunshine on a plate with these great healthy, tasty recipes that everyone can enjoy? The British Tomato Growers' Association and English Village Salads are giving you another reason to get involved - send in your favourite healthy tomato recipe and they will donate £1 per recipe received to Macmillan Cancer Support.

With so many varieties of British tomatoes, they are a key and flavoursome ingredient in thousands of recipes. So whether your favourite healthy recipe uses sweet, ripe plum tomatoes or classic vine ripened tomatoes, send it to britishtomatoes@haygarth.co.uk before the end of August 2008 and help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Nigella's 'Moonblush' tomatoes
Gino D'Acampo's bruschetta classica
Phil Vickery's cherry tomato and avocado salsa
Quick tomato tartlets
Tomato, feta and mint salad
Simple salsa

1. There are five different varieties of commercial British tomato:

• Classic tomatoes (round, good for salads, grilling, baking or frying and used as a cooking ingredient for soups and sauces)
• Cherry on the vine tomatoes (smallest, sweet concentrated flavour good for salads)
• Plum and baby plum tomatoes (oval, firm flesh, natural choice for pizzas and pasta dishes and barbecue)
• Cocktail vine tomatoes (medium sized tomatoes, ideal for salads, sandwiches)
• Large vine ripened tomatoes (ideal for stuffing and roasting)

2. As tomatoes are a sub-tropical fruit and dislike the cold, they should be stored at room temperature. Storing them in the fridge impairs natural ripening and flavour.

3. Tomato pulp is very good for the skin. It refreshes, tones and aids circulation and will restore acidity to the face after cleansing. To make a tomato face pack, make a paste by mixing tomato pulp with yoghurt. Apply to the face and leave for 10-15 minutes, then wash off.

4. The tomato's size should be a good guide to its culinary use. Large ones are good for stuffing and smaller ones for garnishing or using whole in salads. Natural herb partners for tomatoes are mint, parsley, basil and oregano.

5. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, lycopene and flavanoids (the latter is also found in red wine and tea). Tomatoes also contain potassium, linked to lowering blood pressure, calcium - vital for healthy bones and teeth - and other mineral salts.