Tomatoes are an important part of our American food tradition, but they're easy to mistreat. The tomatoes you buy at a supermarket were picked before they were ripe, so to get the best flavor, you should keep them out at room temperature until you use them. Don't refrigerate them!

To speed up the tomato ripening process so you can add the full flavor of this unique fruit to your American food dishes, wrap them in a paper bag or closed container and keep them at room temperature. Adding a pear or apple to the container can also help; it releases ethylene gas that hastens the ripening process.

For a uniquely American food, try buffalo wings. They're a great way to use up chicken wings, which aren't as popular as most chicken parts, and all you need is a good, spicy sauce to liven them up. You'll find plenty of recipes to try on the Internet.