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50 Reasons You Should Be Eating Tomatoes Right Now

Reason No. 1: IT'S TOMATO SEASON

(Credit: Christopher Baker)

Most of the year, we are subjected to the torture of tasteless, vapid tomatoes. So like a kid on Halloween, we're gorging ourselves with the good stuff while we can get it. And of course, we are using any and all excuses to sneak the summer fruit (yes, it's a fruit) into our cooking. We have 50 reasons why you should, too--starting with:

1. They're in season (just look at those beauties above)

2.[#### They make grilled cheese even better

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3. You can soak them in oil (and coat them with breadcrumbs)
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Zach DeSart

4. #### And fry them when they're unripe

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5. #### You can eat them with watermelon...and cheese

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6. #### They look tres chic on a New York steak

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7. #### And on fusilli

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8. They make a mean cocktail
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9. #### Or two

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10. #### They're colorful

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11. #### Sometimes, they take the supporting role

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12. #### But most of the time, they steal the show

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Zach DeSart

13. #### They can take the heat

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14. They can be a soup AND a drink at the same time
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15. They play nice with bread
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16. And anchovies
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17. And spaghetti
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18. They can be dessert
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19. Or brunch
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20. They can be tossed with other veggies
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21. You can cook them in a bag
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22. With fish
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23. Green is SO their color
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24. They make flavorful vinaigrettes
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25. Tarts wear them well
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26. And so does pizza
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27. Right?
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28. And pita knows how to style them, too
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29. You can stuff them
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30. Saute them (with scallops!)
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31. Did we mention they're great with grilled cheese?
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32. They make a nice fresh salsa
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33. And brighten up a bowl of pasta
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34. They make butter better (yes, it's possible)
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35. They can be baked into a pie
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36. They turn flank steak into a work of art
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37. You can put them in your grits
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38. They make the ultimate bread topper
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39. Especially paired with mozzarella and basil
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40. Or corn
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41. They can get fancy in a sherry-laced gazpacho
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42. Or an equally elegant crab soup
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43. But they can dress down, too
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44. You can smother them in garlic
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45. And they only need a few accessories to shine
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46. Without them, B.L.T.s would be pretty lame
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47. Sometimes they get cozy with burrata and speck
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48. Or nestle into a hot bowl of risotto
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49. They can speak Greek
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50. But they're best all by themselves
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