Here’s everything you need to know about Roma Tomatoes. Like what are Plum tomatoes? What’s the difference between Plum tomatoes vs Roma? How many Roma Tomatoes in a pound? How many calories in a Roma tomato?White colander filled with Plum tomatoes.

Plum tomatoes have a slightly sweet and savory flavor making them perfect for making sauces, pastes and sun-dried tomatoes with. They’re also delicious to toss in salads or slice them to add to sandwiches and toast.  Or you can chop them up and toss into soups and stews.

A white colander filled with tomatoes

What Are Plum Tomatoes

Plum tomatoes are large red oval tomatoes. They’re meatier, tastier and have fewer seeds and less juice than round tomatoes.  They are often used for making tomato sauces and pastes, and this is the tomato that is most often used for making sun-dried tomatoes with. This is also the tomato that is used mostly for canned whole tomatoes. Plum tomatoes have 2 seeds compartments called locules. A tomato with fewer seed locules usually means it will be a better tasting tomato and it will have a lot of pulp (which is why they’re great for making sauces with). Roma tomatoes are one of the easiest tomatoes to cook with due to their firm texture, delicious flavor and lack of seeds. 

Plum Tomatoes vs Roma

There are 3 main varieties of Plum tomatoes – Grape (which are similar to cherry tomatoes), San Marzano (also oval shaped and mostly produced in San Marzano, Italy) and Roma. So, Roma tomatoes are actually a variety of Plum tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are the most popular type of Plum tomatoes, and “Roma tomatoes” and “Plum tomatoes” are often used interchangeably at grocery stores.

How Many Roma Tomatoes in a Pound

If you’re making a recipe that calls for 1 pound of Roma (or plum) tomatoes, you’ll need about 4 large Roma tomatoes or 8 small.

Calories in a Roma Tomato

One Roma tomato equals about 35 calories.

White colander filled with red tomatoes

How to Choose the Best 

Look for plump, heavy tomatoes with smooth skins free of bruises, blemishes or cracks. Their leaves should look fresh and green. Fully ripe tomatoes are softer and will give a little to the touch. You only want to buy fully ripe tomatoes if you’re planning on using them right away

How Long Do They Last

There’s no precise answer to this, because it depends on how ripe they are when you buy them, how you store them and whether you refrigerate them or not. Typically they will last on the counter for up to 7 days, but keep them away from direct sunlight. Fully ripe tomatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for a day or two, but if you keep them there any longer,  you will have a watered down, mealy and mostly tasteless tomato on your hands.  Don’t put them unripe in the refrigerator because this will stop the ripening process.

Want to know more? Go to How to Store Tomatoes for more tips and tricks for storing them.

Red fruit on a white marble counter with a knife

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