While They’re Ripe: Tomatoes

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Most of the conversations I have with my eastern Kentuckian grandparents revolve around their garden’s production. When it comes to summer, tomatoes are all the rave, typically sliced and served in a small glass bowls, offering juicy reprieve on humid evenings.

While tomatoes in their purest form are their own kind of wonderful, there are countless ways to utilize the fruit (yes, fruit) to flesh out its fullest potential. We’ve compiled a list of recipes that think outside of the box (a box maybe even my grandparents may appreciate stepping out of).

10 Tomato Recipes To Top Off Summer

Tomato Hand Pies

From juicy snack to the ultimate comfort food, tomato hand pies combine fresh tomatoes, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, mashed potato flakes, and fresh basil in a cocoon of flaky dough for the most satisfying and handheld bite. After you conquer these bad boys, tackle their cousin: pickled green tomato and pimento cheese hands pies.

stuffed cabbage with tomatoes and onion in a large dish

Stuffed Cabbage with Tomatoes & Onion

See why chef Alon Shaya says this dish “…doesn’t just bring back the flavors of my childhood—it also epitomizes that same feeling of warmth and comfort, so anyone who eats it can feel like they’re eating at their own grandmother’s house.” This Israeli dish features ingredients like tomatoes, ground beef, and arborio rice but adds unexpected flavors with small hints of fresh mint and sweet pomegranate molasses.

Tomato Egg

Add a seasonal flare to your morning protein or next Sunday brunch with this recipe from Andrew Chiou and Tim Ma of Lucky Danger in Washington, D.C. What makes this simple recipe stand out? Cooking in a wok. Combine scallions, tomatoes, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine for a twist on your scrambled eggs.

shrimp pasta with sungold tomatoes on a white plate

Shrimp and Sun Gold Tomato Pasta

Impress guests at your next summer soirée with this light and tasty pasta dish that packs a little heat with the help of some serrano chili. Try out the homemade sauce by combining olive oil, shallot, locally caught shrimp, and tomatoes.

Roasted Tomato Toast with Fried Egg and Bacon Marmalade

This flavor-packed toast puts trendy avocado toasts to shame. The homemade bacon marmalade incorporates flavors of espresso, bourbon, and red onion that pairs brilliantly with a smear of goat cheese and topping of peppery arugula.

Heirloom Tomatoes and Cornbread Panzanella

Heirloom Tomato and Cornbread Panzanella

This Southern spin on an Italian classic involves swapping traditional yeast bread for cornbread. The result is surprisingly rich flavors, thanks to the bacon grease, buttermilk, and cornmeal in the panzanella. The key lies in ripe tomatoes, so be sure to pick through your harvest for the heirlooms that are just about to burst.

Tomato and Eggplant Sandwich with Dill, Walnuts, and Saffron Yogurt

Earthy meets bright between two slices of bread in this tomato and eggplant sandwich, bound together with a refreshing saffron yogurt spread. Don’t sleep on the dill salsa verde, which brims with herby flavors of parsley, cilantro, and crushed red pepper.

Cucumber Gazpacho with Heirloom Tomatoes

Cool off with a crisp and refreshing take on a classic gazpacho from chefs Ryan Pera and Morgan Weber of Coltivare Pizza & Garden in Houston, Texas. Take key components like arugula, feta, cucumbers, grapes, and heirloom tomatoes, and purée together for the perfect summer soup.

Pan Fried Okra, Shallots, and Tomatoes Over Cheesy Grits

Adding a good melting cheese like shredded sharp cheddar or manchego is key to making grits a flavor-packed grain. This dish is simple: a base of creamy, cheesy grits is a canvas for okra, red onion, and cherry tomatoes tossed in a simple vinaigrette of olive oil, garlic, red onion, and apple cider vinegar.

Tennessee Tomato Pie

This simple homemade pie crust perfectly envelopes a filling of feta, hot sauce, spices, and luscious tomatoes. Dukkah spice adds a nutty touch to offset the tomatoes’ acidity.