For most Americans, August represents the last gasps of summer leading up to Labor Day, where every weekend prior to that is treasured as another opportunity to hang out poolside, chill at the beach, or relax at the lake.  But for many Italian Americans, late summer means one thing: Tomato Time!

Each year, tons of tomatoes are either purchased by the crate or handpicked by the bushel in preparation for the annual tradition of Tomato Day, where Italian American families gather to prepare jarred tomatoes for the year’s pasta dinners.