Tomato Time
Few things taste as satisfying as fresh, in-season tomatoes. To select the perfect tomato, start by looking at the color. It should be a vibrant red or deep orange, depending on the variety. Green or yellow spots indicate a tomato that needs a little more time to ripen. When squeezed, a ripe tomato should feel soft but not mushy. When in doubt, have a little sniff near the stem. A slightly sweet aroma is another sign of ripeness.
Once you bring your tomatoes home, consider whipping up one of these top tomato-forward recipes. Over the last 10 years, we’ve sliced, diced, pureed and roasted a variety of tomatoes, and these are our favorite recipes that let this seasonal star shine.
Pasta with No-Cook Tomato-Basil Sauce
No need to turn up the heat for this mouthwatering meal. Perfectly ripe tomatoes marinated with garlic, herbs and olive oil create a bright, flavorful sauce — no simmering required!
Garlicky Marinated Tomato Crostini
This eye-catching app is actually quite simple — and worth a little wait. The key to getting bright red and yellow tomatoes bursting with garlicky goodness? Steeping them in a quick garlic-infused olive oil for an hour or two.
Quinoa Kale Salad
Packed with summer veggies and tossed in a red wine vinaigrette, this hearty salad is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Or, pack it up and bring it to a potluck where it’s sure to be an instant hit.