Maybe it was my Asian upbringing that teach me never to waste nutrient , as my family used and ate every part of the veggie , fish , poulet , Sus scrofa , or cow that we brought home .
Or mayhap it ’s my ever - mature curiosity when it number to nutrient from the land … but when I take the air around the garden , look at all my thriving flora , I always think , Can I run through that ?
And by “ that , ” I think the unconventional parts of the plant life that you typically do n’t cerebrate to eat . This was how I make out to loveartichoke stem , leek super acid , and cucumber vine leaves , parts that are normally toss or composted , but are in fact quite tasty .
Worth a read:11 Vegetables You Grow That You Did n’t live You Could Eat
So one day , when I was walk by my tomato plant , I started wonder whether the leaves were edible or not .
With vine that sometimes acquire to 10 foot long , it seemed like such a waste that the leaves were n’t used when the amount of fruit seemed so small in proportion .
It pose me guess … Whydon’twe rust tomato leaves ?
democratic cultivation has teach us that love apple parting are part of the “ baneful nightshade ” phratry and thus , they must be vicious . But I bet that more than a few people , if expect , would have no idea what that even means . It ’s just what ’s known . No questions asked — but weneedto ask .
What is a nightshade , why are the leave poisonous but not the yield , and why do n’t we see crowd of leaves in the supermarket if theyaren’tpoisonous ?
Let ’s take a look at all the myths surround theSolanaceaefamily and explore the science that order otherwise .
Myth #1: Nightshades are highly poisonous, so tomato leaves must be poisonous too.
When referring to theSolanaceaefamily of plant life , many hoi polloi call it by its more common nickname , the nightshade family .
Within this category are the vegetables we cognise and love , like tomato , tomatillos , potatoes , eggplants , and sweetened and raging Piper nigrum .
But also within this family are the nightshades splendidly hump to be toxic to humans , like bleak henbane , mandrake , andthe“deadly nightshade , ” also known asbelladonna(Atropa belladonna ) .
Despite its soubriquet , belladonna , an herbaceous perennial , hashistorical use in herbal medicineas a pain backup and muscle relaxer , a handling for belly and intestinal topic , and even as a beauty aid .
In fact , the name “ bella donna ” intend beautiful noblewoman in Italian . It come from the out-of-date practice of women lay drops of belladonna berry succus in their eyes to dilate their pupil . The smell was see attractive in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. !
But ease insure that though tomatoes are distantly relate to Atropa belladonna , they do not take the chemical compound that make belladonna ( particularly its berries ) so poisonous .
The tomato(Solanum lycopersicum)does have an interesting history however , as its scientific name , lycopersicum , is Latin for “ wolf peach ” and derive from German folklore .
When the tomato plant was convey to Europe in the 16th century , citizenry believed it to be venomous like other extremity of theSolanaceaefamily . Legend had it that witches used these hallucinogenic plant life in potion to conjure werewolves . Since the tomato plant ’s fruit seem so similar to that of belladonna plant , it was dub the wolf peach tree .
You see , tomatoes of yore look nothing like the plump , blue , fashionable tomato we know and make love . Before modernistic finish , tomatoes grow wild in the Andesand they were petite — the sizing of a blueberry . Their shape and colour were often false for belladonna berries .
These day , we know that while tomato belong to the ( very large and divers ) nightshade family , they definitely are n’t of thedeadlynightshade sort .
This ambivalence was later reflected in the tomato ’s other accepted scientific name , Lycopersicon esculentum(translated to “ edible woman chaser peach ” ) .
As you’re able to see , the sorry rap bestowed on Lycopersicon esculentum is merely an old wives ’ tale , will over from a less - informed era .
Myth #2: Tomato leaves contain toxic compounds called alkaloids.
As mentioned in my premature mail service oncarrot tops , allvegetables contain alkaloid . alkaloid are part of a plant ’s defense mechanisms ( existing in all part of the plant life to protect against certain animals , insects , fungus kingdom , virus , and bacterium ) and we consume them on a daily foundation in various amounts .
That locally - mature heirloom dome and simoleons salad you had for lunch ? Alkaloids . Those antioxidant - rich organic green smoothie you make every week ? Major alkaloids .
While it ’s true that some alkaloid are not good for you ( like nicotine and cocaine ) , others can be estimable or regretful , depending on your view ( like theobromine , the stimulant drug found in deep brown , or caffein , that Monday - forenoon life - bestower ) .
Even though alkaloids are present in your everyday veg , you could never use up enough of them in one sit for the alkaloids to be harmful .
So what give with tomatoes ?
The major glycoalkaloid in the tomato plant is tomatine . ( To put it simply , a glycoalkaloid is an alkaloid bond with a sugar . )
Tomatine exists in all gullible parts of the plant , include the stems , parting , and green tomatoes .
( For the sake of clearness , whenever I mention “ green tomatoes ” in this situation , I ’m referring to the immature , unripened immature tomato — andnotthe varieties of by nature green tomatoes . )
Astudy publish in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistryfound that the highest concentration of tomatine were find in senescent leafage , followed by the stem , fresh leaves , calyxes , green fruits , and finally , the root ( which had the last immersion ) .
The dispute in density between the fresh leaves and green fruits is trifling , so one is n’t of necessity “ secure ” to consume than the other . While tomatoes do show adecline in tomatine contentas they mature and mature , no one has ever thought doubly about devouring a heaping of fried green tomato orpickled unripe love apple !
formula to assay : Roasted Green Tomato Salsa Verde
Glycoalkaloids are also poorly absorbedby the gastrointestinal pamphlet of mammalian , and will pass through quickly to the urine or feces . In the great unwashed who are tender to these compound , stomach irritation may happen but they would have to absorb an unrealistic amount of green tomatoes or Lycopersicon esculentum leave to experience ill effects .
So what ’s the deal ? Are tomato leave-taking poisonous or not ?
Disclosure : If you rat from my article or make a purchase through one of my link , I may get commissions on some of the products I commend .
In the bookToxic Plants of North America , the authors indite that a toxic VD of tomatine for humans would appear to requireat leasta pound of tomato parting , and that “ the hazard in most billet is low . ”
harmonise to thisfood prophylactic study(which compare the potential toxicity of glycoalkaloids found in tomatoes , potatoes , and Solanum melongena ) , tomatine is a comparatively benignant glycoalkaloid . It resulted in no meaning changes to liver weight or body weight when feed in to mice , and isnot considered contrary to human wellness .
Another studyhas shown Lycopersicon esculentum folio and tomato halt to have gamey antioxidant activity and polyphenols ( works - based micronutrients that help fight disease and better overall health ) than tomato fruits .
What ’s most surprising is the breakthrough of tomatine as a malignant neoplastic disease inhibitor . The glycoalkaloid has been determine to in effect kill or repress the ontogeny of human bosom , colon , liver , and stomach cancer cells .
Thisstudysuggests that consumer could profit from eating high - tomatine green love apple , and that there may be a “ motivation ” to develop gamey - tomatine red tomatoes as well ( for the treatment of cancer and/or the study of tomatine as an anti - carcinogenic and anti - viral agent ) .
Judging from these studies , and the want of evidence that tomato leave of absence are toxic for human consumption , I ’ll have to give Myth # 2 a misfire .
Myth #3: Dogs have died eating tomato leaves, so they’re definitely poisonous.
Somewhere along the fashion , you may have hear a history of someone ’s dog kick the bucket because it ate a lot of green tomato or tomato leaves . But is this cause for business organization foryou ?
Here ’s the deal : tomatinecanbe virulent for a firedog if eat up in large measure .
And the last part of that sentence is fundamental — in large quantity .
Whether or not tomato leaves can kill a click is very much a dose - dependent issuing . As most pet owners know , dog eat all kinds of crazy affair and do n’t really be intimate when to halt .
If they have unrestricted approach to your garden and have n’t been develop to delay away from plants , it ’s very potential they ’ll chow down all your love apple , leaves and all .
For small dogs , especially , this amount of consumption can cause looseness and vomiting at dear , or a infirmary visit in the worst - case scenario . This goes for many other plants in your house and garden , not just tomato plants .
( The tilt ofplants that are toxic to dogsis prospicient and surprising : lemongrass oil , chamomile , tarragon , borage , milkweed , purslane , and various parts of apples , apricot , and grapefruits . )
Does toxicity to a dog adequate toxicity to humankind ? Far from it .
There are other foods we eat freely that are known to be poisonous to dogs , such as hot chocolate , grape , raisin , garlic , and onions . But the substances that are harmful to dog do n’t do the same harm to humans .
To date , there ’s short grounds in veterinary lit regarding the toxicity of love apple leaves . Onestudy in Israelexamined the possibility of livestock poisoning by feeding Lycopersicon esculentum vine to cattle for 42 24-hour interval , but find no ill effects .
Myth #4: Organic gardeners make tomato-leaf sprays to kill pests, so that must mean tomato leaves can kill us too.
Tomato - leafage sprays are made by hack and fleece tomato leaves in pee , then using the sprays on various plant life to moderate aphid .
Since tomatine , a glycoalkaloid , has antifungal property and is part of the tomato ’s natural defense , it makes sentience that the compound could potentially protect against pestilence when extracted into a result .
But theoretically , you could make a spray with any dark-green part of the plant , like the base ( which moderate even mellow amounts of tomatine ) .
Unless you ’re allergic to tomato , thetomatine in tomato - leaf sprays wo n’t harm you — and that ’s why it ’s used as an organic method acting of pest ascendance .
Read more : Get Rid of Pests With This 2 - Ingredient Homemade Insecticide
Myth #5: Tomato leaves aren’t sold commercially and no one has ever cooked with them, so that’s a sign they’re not meant to be eaten.
True , if you tried to Google formula for tomato plant leaves , you are n’t potential to find any . In his bookCooking by Hand , former Chez Panisse chef Paul Bertolli include a formula for leafy love apple sauce .
InThe No - Waste Vegetable Cookbook , I have my own version of a spicy minty tomato sauce infused with Lycopersicon esculentum leaves , as well as tomato plant leaf pesto that ’s delicious on pizza pie and sandwich . Aside from those examples , however , not many people have ill-treat up and ‘ fessed up to their culinary use .
But — and a bigbut — that does not intend they are n’t edible .
Until I commence traveling to other res publica , exploring their local cuisines , and cooking from my garden , I never knew all the possibilities of the plant I was growing .
( If you endure anywhere outside of North America , you ’re probably shaking your head at what we hurl out ! )
How else can you make with tomato leafage ? I ’ve found it best used as an extract so you’re able to really beguile the essence of a advanced summertime tomato . Try inculcate a handful of tomato leaves in olive oil ( I love it as a mizzle on a Caprese salad ) or infusing the leaves in tomato juice when you make gazpacho .
Another favourite proficiency is tossing thinly slice tomato leaves with a bit of Pisces sauce , and using it as a savory garnish for Elmer Reizenstein or Pisces . Gently fried whole leave of tomato also make a tasty topping for pasta , the mode you ’d fry salvia leaves in browned butter . desiccated and crushed tomato leaves can be used as seasoner , perhaps fold into pizza dough or sprinkled over noodles .
Waste less solid food . Get more nutrition . All with the same vegetables you already know and enjoy .
The No - Waste Vegetable Cookbookis your guide to everything edible from all the plants you grow or grease one’s palms — things you might not have known you could rust .
As for the rest of my garden , an adventuresome appetite has led me to expose how deliciousbroccoli leavesare ( you wo n’t find many recipe for those either ) , as well ascarrot tops , nasturtium pod , radish pods , radish greens , andpea shoots(which are actually an Asian food market basic ) .
get a line how to use the entire plant life is my favorite“lazy horticulture ” strategybecause it means I can get more nutrient out of my garden with a lot less work .
The fact that Lycopersicon esculentum leaves are n’t part of the mainstream American diet does n’t make them toxic by any means . People just do n’t know what to do with them … yet . ( Hopefully this will alter in my generation . )
You make love whatistoxic though ? Theamount of food we wastein this rural area , andhow Americans guide the world in intellectual nourishment thriftlessness .
Conclusion: So, can you eat tomato leaves?
Contrary to democratic opinion , yes — tomato leaves are flavorful , fragrant , and 100 percent eatable . you’re able to cook the invigorated , untested leaf like most other tough garden greens , such as kale , collard , or loot ( leafy green that necessitate a little longer preparation time to become affectionate ) .
But personally , I like to use tomato leaf as an accent mark , where their unattackable herbal aroma adds a unique deepness of flavor that you ca n’t get from tomato yield themselves .
More tomato plant growing posts to explore :
This place updated from an article that originally look on August 20 , 2013 .
View the Web floor oneating tomato exit .
