Superfood: Fresh Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a naturally delicious ingredient and promote optimal health because they are loaded with vitamins C, K, and B6, niacin, potassium, and the antioxidant lycopene.

Skip the jarred tomato sauce and prepare a superfast, homemade sauce while your noodles cook. Cherry tomatoes roasted in olive oil and red wine vinegar add a sweet flavor to this simple sauce.

Recipe: Quick-Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce with Spaghetti

Toss together sweet peaches and heirloom tomatoes for a salad bursting with vitamin C. Fresh basil, crumbled feta, and a honey-sherry vinaigrette complement the simplicity of the dish.

Recipe: Summer Peach and Tomato Salad

The ingredients in this dish–tomatoes, mangoes, and orange juice–are loaded with the antioxidant vitamin C. It helps to strengthen the immune system and to protect the body against heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Pair this colorful side salad with grilled chicken or fish for a light and tasty meal.

Recipe: Tomato-and-Mango Salad with Curry-Orange Vinaigrette

Adding tomatoes to your favorite foods is an easy way to incorporate healthy vegetables into your diet. Throw cherry tomatoes into salads or stir-fries, layer sliced beefsteak tomatoes on a pizza or in a lasagna, or chop plum tomatoes and sprinkle over grilled fish or chicken.

This six-ingredient pizza packs tomatoes and herbs into every bite and is sure to become a family favorite in no time.

Recipe: Tomato Basil Pizza

Some studies show that a diet rich in lycopene–an antioxidant found in foods like fresh and cooked tomatoes, apricots, pink grapefruit, and papaya–can help lower the risk of breast cancer in women.

The fresh blend of flavors in nutritious gazpacho make it a colorful crowd pleaser.

Recipe: Chunky Tomato-Fruit Gazpacho

When choosing tomatoes, look for ones that are a bright shade of red. This indicates that they have the most lycopene and betacarotene.

Serve this classic Capri salad as a starter or pair with a juicy steak to bring out the creamy flavors of the mozzarella.

Recipe: Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, and Basil Salad

Heating tomatoes releases even more of their beneficial nutrients, so don't be afraid to warm them up. Try cooking tomatoes in a bit of olive oil to help the body better absorb the lycopene.

Bruschetta is an excellent appetizer to serve when fresh tomatoes are in abundance.

Recipe: Bruschetta with Warm Tomatoes

For more fresh tomato recipes, see 7 Ways With Fresh Tomatoes.

And check out Cooking Light's Tomato Secrets Unveiled to learn how to grow, pick, and store tomatoes.

Or see Health's Top Five Foods for Women to find out how tomatoes are a vital part of a healthy diet.