what? Tomato Butt!

On more than one occasion, when I have purchased, received foods with tomatoes (both at restaurants and in canned product), and upon inspction, noticed that they included what I have called the "TOMATO BUTT" in my food.

Technially, the part I am referring to is the stem end of the tomato... but when I am telling my stories to others, the use of the term "tomato butt" gets a more notable response from the audience.

This site is dedicated to sharing some of my tomato butt experiences. Both stories and when possible photos of the tomato butts are included.

I soon hope that readers of this site will submit their own tomato butt images, and this feature will be added soon.

coming soon...

The gallery of BUTTS

How did this all start?

In 1994, or perhaps 1995, I was in a Taco Bell, very happily preparing to consume my favorite menu item (at that time): The Enchirito (not quite an enchilada but not a burrito either). Many of you may associate this Taco Bell item with "The Terminator". I bit into my Enchirito, and discoverd (horrifically) something "spidery" in my mouth, proeeded to GAG and RETCH and spit the "mystery item" into my napkin. I was unable to view "whatever it was" but prefer to tell myself it was the leafy-stem of a tomato... But to this day I cannot be certain, because I was too traumatized at the time to view the mystery item.

Since that day, I have a habit of "inspecting" foods prepared by other people, especially when patronizing restaurants or fast-food venues; as well as (admitting shamefully) food items prepared by my friends. (Sorry, friends, just take comfort in knowing that you are not the reason I developed this habit.

On many occasions, I have found (not the leafy stem end), but the stem-attachcment "butt-hole" looking part of the tomato in my food. While this never suprises me, it does shock me, since I have had a kitchen-job where I was among other workers whose sould purpose in employment was to prepare vegetables for a cafeteria.
We pulled the outer leaves off of roughly 1000 pounds of lettuce, washed it, shredded it, and used it for salads; along with preparing (cleaning, cutting or peeling, or coring) hundreds of pounds of cucumbers, carrots, onions, bell peppers and of course, tomatoes.

I included this bit of information to specify that I have done the job(s) of the persons who caused my suffering, and I know first hand that it is not that hard to cut the core out of a tomato to prepare it for consumption.

Coming Soon ... the GALLERY

This BUTT was in my HUNT'S canned diced tomatoes. I primarily use these canned tomatoes when i want to make a quick marinara sauce.

While I consider HUNT'S to be at the top-of-the-line of canned tomatoes, I always seem to find butts in every can.

Soon, I will add more "incident" images, as well as allowing readers to submit their own "tomato-butt" incidents.