Summer is an exciting time in the garden, with a bounty of produce in your own back yard. And there’s nothing more rewarding than a row full of tomato plants bursting at the seams. But unfortunately, you can only eat so many tomatoes so you’ll want to have a strategy for using each delectable fruit without letting any go to waste.
For inspiration on what to do with a garden full of tomatoes, we consulted with Chef Chris DeJesus, Executive Chef at Butcher and Bee Nashville, where he focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients for an eclectic, continuously changing menu. We sat down with him to chat about a variety of ways to use one of summer’s star ingredients.
What’s the Best Way to Eat a Tomato?
A sun-ripened tomato fresh out of the garden is the peak of summer culinary perfection, needing little more than a sprinkle of salt. They are also always welcome raw in a variety of salads, crudité platters or simply marinated with onions as a refreshing side dish. Chef Dejesus also recommends pairing raw tomatoes with fruit such as honeydew and snow leopard melon, peaches and chili flakes for some kick. And he says he “can't let summer pass without sweet white bread, Duke's mayonnaise, warm tomatoes from the sun, not so crispy bacon, and iceberg.”
Get the Recipe: Marinated Tomatoes and Onions
What’s the Best Way to Can Tomatoes?
Chris recommends canning tomatoes whole, so they can be used for a variety of recipes. “The classic thing to do is score the bottom of the tomato with a sharp knife, drop them in salted, boiling water for 30 seconds then dunk in an ice bath. Peel the skins away. Toss them into a colander and let them drip over the sink for about 30 minutes. Pack them very tightly into a mason jar. Add a teaspoon of citric acid or lemon juice and seal the lid, this ensures the acidity level is safe enough to prevent any form of bacteria.” Pull out a jar for the rest of the year whenever you want to make fresh tomato sauce, tomato soup or any recipe calling for canned tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Meatballs with Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce
What Other Ways Can You Preserve Tomatoes?
If you’re looking for intense tomato flavor, dehydration can be the best way to preserve a garden full of ripe tomatoes into ‘sundried’ tomatoes or homemade tomato paste. A home dehydrator might not sound as romantic as drying in the sun, but it makes homemade sundried tomatoes without the dangers of excess humidity or outside pests. And if you’d like to make your own tomato paste, Chef Dejesus recommends that you puree the tomatoes and hang in cheesecloth to drain excess moisture. Then dehydrate at 140 degrees for 24-48 hours. “Once you do this trust me, it’s never the same for that small skinny can.”
Get the Recipe: Sundried Tomato Broccolini with Lemon Pistachio Gremolata
What are Some of the Best Flavors to Pair with Tomatoes?
For summer recipe inspiration, look no further than the fruits, herbs and vegetables growing alongside the tomato plants. What grows together, goes together is a handy phrase for this time of year, meaning that those edible plants that thrive in the same environment at the same time, also complement one another on the plate. Peaches and melons are all favorite pairings of Chef Dejesus, enhanced by a little bit of salt and chili pepper to draw out the sweet juices. When it comes to fresh herbs, basil is a natural complement to tomatoes, appearing in salads, sauces and pasta dishes. And if you like pairing tomatoes with vegetables, cucumbers, sweet corn, summer squash, peppers and eggplant all complement a juicy tomato.
Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta with Charred Corn and Cherry Tomatoes
What is Your Favorite Tomato Recipe?
Homemade tomato sauce is a tradition for many families, and Chef Dejusus’ family is no exception. His favorite way to cook tomatoes “is my grandmother's way - she taught me to make the Sunday gravy.” Slow cooked over several hours, the tomatoes thicken and intensify in flavor. And while every family has their own unique recipe, starting with high quality, homegrown tomatoes will always deliver superior flavor. If you’ve preserved whole, peeled tomatoes from the summer garden, you can pull out a jar to make slow cooked tomato sauce all year long.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooked Tomato Sauce
What are Some Non-traditional Ways to Use Tomatoes?
Sauce, pasta and salads with fresh tomatoes are beloved classics but don’t get stuck on traditional recipes. “The Sungold cherry tomatoes we get here in Tennessee from Farm and Fiddle come in sweet as sugar sometimes and could easily be turned into a sorbet base. And I've made a Sungold tomato and Honey glaze for ham before.” Try using tomatoes in recipes where you might be tempted to choose a fruit first such as chutneys and sweeter pan sauces. They also work well as a filling for savory tarts and flatbreads.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Tomato Tart
