what do I do with all of these tomatoes??
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In June, I shared a note I got from Beth, who is part of a CSA and asked if I could do a post re: “I have so much XYZ — what do I do with it?”
In June, we talked zucchini:
Last month, we talked greens:
And today is all about TOMATOES.
As I started jotting down notes, I had an overwhelming feeling of déjà vu. It turns out I was right: I’ve done this before. So, without further ado, here are all of the tomato ideas I shared in August 2022 (how is this newsletter over three years old?!)
Before we get to any recipe ideas, let me share my favorite ever way to halve a bunch of cherry tomatoes at once (if I don’t do this, it’s one of my least favorite kitchen tasks…doing this makes me feel like a superhero!!) All you do is put a single layer of cherry tomatoes between two container lids, then slice in half with a serrated knife — it’s so easy. Swipe right on this IG post for a video!!!!!!
There are so many good tomatoes right now and I wanted to share some of my favorite ways to enjoy them.
Tomato sandwiches: keep them simple— no fancy bread or garnishes needed. White bread + mayo is perfect. Slightly toasted bread + mayo is perfect. Don’t forget lots of salt!!! A piece of bacon or some lettuce is nice but totally not required.
Simplest tomato salads made with just tomatoes + dressing, maybe some herbs, too if you’d like: Use a single type of tomato or a combination of colors and varieties. Halve cherry tomatoes, slice bigger ones into chunks or thick slices. Spread out on a plate or platter, season with lots of salt, and then dress with…ANYTHING. Top with some chopped herbs if you want. Some ideas include:
Caesar dressing + chopped parsley
Blue cheese dressing + thinly sliced scallions + chopped parsley
Tahini dressing + chopped mint + chopped dill
Slightly more complicated (but still sooooo simple) tomato salads:
Chopped or sliced tomatoes + peaches with chopped herbs (whatever!), a little bit of vinegar (sherry, red wine, whatever) and lots of olive oil
Chopped or sliced tomatoes + avocados with green olives, feta, and chopped pistachios / dress with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano
Chopped tomatoes, watermelon, red onions, feta + chopped mint dressed with lemon juice + olive oil
Tomatoes + torn mozzarella, but with fresh lemon juice + zest and tons of olive oil
Chopped tomatoes + cucumbers with basil, mint, cilantro, roasted peanuts + fish sauce + lime juice
Chopped tomatoes, corn kernels (cooked, grilled, raw, whatever) + scallions dressed with rice vinegar + soy sauce + toasted sesame oil
Fresh salsas to serve on tacos, avocado toast, hard-boiled eggs…whatever! Ideas include:
Halved cherry tomatoes and/or chopped larger tomatoes + minced onion or scallions, chopped cilantro, chopped fresh or pickled jalapeños, and fresh lime juice
Halved Sungold tomatoes + diced mango with minced fresh red chili, minced red onion, lots of lime juice, and some chopped cilantro
Pan con tomate (a.k.a. something I could happily eat every single day).
If just making one or two pieces, rub a peeled garlic clove on toast, then rub a halved tomato into the toast so that all of the tomato juice/seeds/flesh really gets into the bread, then drizzle with olive oil + season with salt
If making a bunch of pieces, I think it’s easier to make a grated tomato sauce that you then spoon on toast. To make it, cut 2 very ripe tomatoes in half and set a box grater in a bowl. Grate the open sides of each tomato half on the largest holes of the box grater (stop when you get to the skin / discard the skin). Add a large garlic clove that you’ve minced, plus a big BIG pinch of salt, a nice big glug of olive oil and a spoonful of sherry vinegar. Spoon the mixture generously on toasted or grilled bread.
Fresh chopped tomato sauce for pasta: chop fresh tomatoes, place in a big bowl, add minced garlic, tons of olive oil, and a big spoonful of vinegar or fresh lemon juice and season with lots of salt. Let this sit at the bottom of the bowl for at least the amount of time it takes to bring a pot of water to a boil and cook pasta. Once your pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the bowl of chopped tomatoes. Mix well and season to taste with more olive oil, salt, and/or vinegar or lemon juice. Add some fresh chopped herbs (basil!!! parsley!) and/or cheese (torn fresh mozzarella, cubes of fontina or provolone, shaved Parmesean or pecorino…or a mix!) if you’d like. You could also add a few handfuls of peppery arugula.
Spicy barely-cooked tomato sauce for pasta (or anything): chop fresh tomatoes and place in a big bowl. Heat at least 1/4 cup of olive oil for every 2 cups of chopped tomatoes in a small pot or skillet. Once warm, add minced garlic and dried red chili flakes and let those sizzle for like 30 seconds. Pour the hot, garlicky, spicy oil over the chopped tomatoes. Stir well. Season to taste with salt and a spoonful of vinegar or squeeze of lemon or lime if you’d like. Serve on pasta or with eggs, as a bed for grilled fish or shrimp…whatever you want!
Use a bed for roasting fish: cut a bunch of cherry tomatoes in half, coat with olive oil + salt and roast at 400ºF for about 20 minutes to get going, then lay a few thin fish fillets on top, drizzle those with olive oil, and roast until the fish is cooked (anywhere from 10 - 20 minutes depending on how thick your fish is). Great with olives mixed with the tomatoes!!
When you have more tomatoes than you know what to do with, make Roasted Tomato Sauce. Freeze it for your future self!! Use for spaghetti, shakshuka, eggplant parm, a dip for garlic bread, the base for tomato soup…
Hope you all enjoy some tomatoes this year. Support your local farmers! Tomatoes take A LOT much work to grow + harvest, but wow wow wow how they make us all so happy.
Just a quick schedule note:
I’ll be taking the next two weeks off from posting, but I’ll be back right after Labor Day and HAVE SO MUCH GOOD STUFF lined up for September. xooxox
Enjoy your break! You deserve it!!!❤️
Thank you for this! I think I have handed out as many tomatoes as my neighbours and loved ones are willing to take so this is well timed. A note to everyone...I made Grandma's Raw Tomato Ziti (what goes with what pg. 196) last night...damn...my husband and I crushed it..talked about it all night and I just made it again this morning. No shame. SO GOOD!