7 Ways to Enjoy Your Summer Tomatoes
July 31, 2018
If you’re lucky enough to grow tomatoes, you know you’re always in for a treat mid to late summer. Picked at the height of the season, a fresh tomato is a mouthwatering delight for many people. They are easy to grow, even on small sunny patios in pots, so living in a small city apartment, you can still grow your own. Didn’t start this year? There’s always next! As long as you have at least 6 hours of sun, you can grow one of over a thousand variety of tomatoes.
Whether you grow them, snag them from your local farm stand, or grab them at the grocery stores, you’re sure to have an abundance of fresh tomatoes this summer. Then you’ll need to decide how to eat them all!
Here are seven mouth-watering tomato ideas for fresh in-season tomatoes:
My favorite: the tomato and fresh mozzarella sandwich
Add a generous leaf of sweet basil and serve on toasted ciabatta bread. This popular sandwich screams summertime! It makes a seasonal, fast, and easy lunch for guests too.
Bruschetta
As an appetizer or side dish, bruschetta is an easy topping for fresh bread. Start by chopping tomatoes into four cups of small pieces. Roma tomatoes work great, but others are fine. The fresher and juicier, the better it will taste. Mince a clove of garlic and 1/4 cup fresh basil. Toss tomatoes with garlic, basil, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste and let sit 15 minutes at room temperature to absorb flavors. Spoon over a freshly sliced baguette of the bread of your choice, or garlic bread. This garden fresh bruschetta is a burst of flavor and great on a hot day!
Homemade Sauce
Turn your tomato harvest into a delicious sauce and make extra for canning! You can enjoy the fresh homemade taste year round at a fraction of the cost of store-bought jarred sauces (and it’s much healthier!)
Mexican bowl
A delicious meal that hits the spot! Make Mexican rice bowls and let the family choose their toppings. Start with rice and then offer chopped tomatoes, black or pinto beans, shredded cheese, chopped onion, chopped cilantro and avocado slices or guacamole. You can have bowls of cooked taco meat or chicken too. This meal is a hit in my house!
Marinated salad
Toss chunky chopped tomatoes with quartered cucumbers and croutons in balsamic dressing. This is a tasty, slightly crunchy accompaniment to a summer meal or on an appetizer platter.
Quiche
Ever hear of tomato quiche? It makes a great meatless dinner. You can serve it hot or cold, depending on preference. It makes a beautiful eye-catching dish to bring to a summer luncheon or party too. Serve with a tossed salad for a simple meal that hits the spot on a summer day.
Homemade Pico
Another delicious way to use tomatoes that is tasty and summery! A bowl of pico, some organic corn chips, and Ole!
Enjoy the perks of homegrown tomatoes this season. Hopefully, you have a bountiful harvest to try these delicious recipes with!
