HOW TO CHOOSE A GREAT TOMATO: Tomatoes are one of the most vital and versatile vegetables (OK, fruits) to have in the kitchen, but they can also be hard to check for quality. Just because they're are available year-round doesn't mean they're going to be good year-round -- anyone who's ever had a fresh one straight from the honest soil of a home garden knows that eating the eerily perfect tomatoes that show up in the produce aisle in February is like biting into a ball of wet paper. But these perfectly round, red orbs look so immaculate! How can we know whether the tomato we're buying is going to be a juicy treat or a flavorless disappointment?First, check how the tomato looks on the outside. The best tomatoes are completely free of blemishes and bruises and should be a deep, bright red. Any tomato that looks dull or pale is going to be lackluster. Steer clear of any discolorations -- even a small black spot can mean hidden rot on the inside.