Are tomato leaves edible?

Question

Since tomatoes are in the nightshade family, is it safe to saute and eat the leaves? I was told a friend ate tomato leaves, but I never heard of this.

Answer 1

from what I've read, tomato leaves are generally not toxic to adults, but are definitely poisonous to dogs and cats. Although some varieties' leaves are high in lycopene, a nutrient found in many multi-vitamins,none of the articles recommended digesting the leaves directly. As a matter of fact, several of the articles did say that the leaves could cause some vomiting and cramps.

I actually read a study being done by a Dr. Mercola, where he claims that tomato leaves may be used in the future as an edible vaccine for various illnesses. I've attached a link to his study for your review if interested.

Answer 2

Can You Eat Tomato Leaves

Answer 3

No, tomatoes are members of the nightshade family which includes the potato. The nightshades are toxic. There are certain insects who eat nightshades and become poisonous themselves (like that yicky moth in "Silence of the Lambs").

Find something else to saute.

Answer 4

No. They are not generally considered edible. I don't think they'd be very nice, anyway, since they are hairy.

One can make a very nice pickle from green tomatoes, but I wouldn't say it's a good idea to eat them raw.

One of the tomatoes' close relatives, the potato, has definitely poisonous green parts and, as you know, many Solanacea are poisonous. We do eat a number of the family, however, tomatoes, potatoes and blueberries being the most common.

Answer 5

First of all,in order for the potatoes to mature under the vine the vines have to die off or "go down", as in turn yellow, dry up. How/when are you harvesting the leaves of the potato plants? The tubers need them for growth/photosynthesis/food/etc. Are you here on Long Island? I'll ask some of the farmers I work with, but I don't think they're edible and you won't get the best size/maturity for your potatoes if you are cutting off the leaves before the vines have "died off". Young sweet potato leaves may be edible, and you can google that for more information.

Answer 6

Don't do it, they can make you sick. From what I've read, tomato leaves are generally not toxic to adults, but are definitely poisonous to dogs and cats. leaves are high in lycopene, a nutrient found in many multi vitamins, none of the articles recommended digesting the leaves directly. As a matter of fact, several of the articles did say that the leaves could cause some vomiting and cramps.

Answer 7

I think it's only safe for tomato hornworms to eat them. I have a hung out with herbalists and gardeners and have never heard of eating tomato leaves. It's not in any of my recipe books either. I'm voting no on this idea.

Answer 8

For some insects it is! A monster of a Caterpillar devoured half of one of my tomato plants quite quickly!

Answer 9

I have no idea...and even if they are I can imagine they would be pretty nasty. Have you ever smelled a tomato leaf?? If the taste is anywhere close to the smell it would be like eating a solid form of cat pee.

Answer 10

irina c is on the mark... albeit tomataoes are actually a fruit but the fda and our wonderfull brilliant governing odies wanted to control taxation and production so way back in time( dunno how far lol) in U.S. history a misnomer was intentionally made for greed about the seed much like they did with the conspiracy on hemp which was a national protected plant with many useful products,including ropes,howszer lines,clothes,lamp oil etc;"down with the sailing ships and sell more oil"