15 Recipes to Make the Most of Juicy Heirloom Tomatoes
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Tomatoes are the essence of summer, and heirloom tomatoes the best of the bunch. Here's how to make the most of your farmers' market haul, and savor the season's colorful crop well past August.
Heirlooms are tomatoes (or other plants) grown from seeds handed down over generations. They are open-pollinated, meaning they produce seeds that resemble the parent plant, which not always the case with commercial hybrids. Hybrid tomatoes are often bred for durability, so they can be shipped. Heirloom tomatoes are more diverse. Traditionally they were bred for flavor, and their apperances vary widely; some are small and some extremely large. Heirloom tomatoes also come in a veritable rainbow of shades, not just bright red to pinkish tones but all the way through orange and yellow to striped and ombré colorings. Their names are attractive, too: Brandywine, Purple Cherokee, Green Zebra, Kellogg's Breakfast, and Nebraska Wedding are just a few of the heirloom tomatoes available as seed to grow your own or to buy at the farmers' market.
When shopping for heirloom tomatoes look for plump fruit without bruises or decay as you would with any tomatoes. Heirlooms are more susceptible to cracking, but as long as the cracks are healed (meaning you can't see the flesh), the blemish won't affect taste or safety. Once home, store tomatoes on the counter—not in the refrigerator—for a day or two. So, what are the best ways to enjoy this tasty summer staple? Let heirloom tomatoes shine in simple, sunny salads like our Tomato and Beet Salad. You can also use heirloom tomatoes for appetizers made for sharing, such as tartines or bruschetta. And if you're hosting brunch, you can't go wrong with our Bloody-Mary Tomato Salad.
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Tomato, Peach, Buffalo Mozzarella, and Bresaola Tartine
Low-maintenance tartines are our go-to when the temperature rises. Shingle tomatoes, peaches, and mozzarella on bresaola-topped, toasted ciabatta. They make a great party starter.
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Bloody-Mary Tomato Salad
You can't go wrong with this salad for brunch. All the flavors you love in a classic Bloody Mary have been incorporated into this absolutely genius dish that everyone will be buzzing about.
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Tomato Ombrè on Grilled Rustic Bread
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Rice Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Feta
A delicious taste of the Mediterranean, make this crowd-pleasing, veg-packed rice salad for a picnic or block party.
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Tomato Salad with Chile Yogurt
Colorful heirloom tomatoes star in this sunny salad along with a touch of serrano chile and Greek yogurt. The pairing is unexpected but spot on.
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Heirloom Tomatoes with Cherries, Balsamic, and Hyssop
Any large, meaty, pink-red to deep-red heirloom, such as Brandywine or Cherokee Purple, makes a substantial bed for the playful combination of cherry tomatoes and Bing cherries. Although we love the fragrance of the herb anise hyssop, mint, basil, or tarragon will also work nicely.
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Tomato and Mango Salad with Chiles and Tomato Essence
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Ricotta Pizza with Fresh and Roasted Tomatoes
After baking, this pizza is topped with an abundance of colorful tomatoes. Consider it tomato salad with a pizza crust—and know that it's delicious!
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Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
A rainbow of heirloom tomatoes spooned over grilled, garlic-rubbed bread may just be the last word in summer appetizers.
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Penne with Tomatoes and Parsley Breadcrumbs
Marinated tomatoes make a light sauce for this summery pasta while fresh breadcrumbs provide the perfect textural contrast.
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Heirloom Tomato, White Peach, and Ricotta Salata Salad
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Tomato-Beet Salad
Ruby-red roasted beets and an array of heirloom tomatoes make a dazzling summer salad. Just be forewarned: This dish is so tasty it just might steal the spotlight away from the main course.
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Ricotta and Tomato Toast
Spread fresh, creamy ricotta on a thick slice of whole-wheat toast and top with heirloom tomato, fresh basil leaves, and a small drizzle of olive oil for an easy, satisfying summer breakfast, afternoon snack, or appetizer.
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Croxetti with Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes
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Heirloom Tomato Confit
Slow cook your favorite heirloom tomatoes in olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil to bring out their natural sweetness. They also freeze beautifully, which means you can enjoy these aromatic tomatoes all year long. Confit is just one of Martha's favorite ways to preserve tomatoes.