Garden Goodness: What Should Be Done With Our Very First Ripe Tomato of the Season?

Remember when we showed you the crazy explosion of activity on our container tomato plant? Well, one tomato at least has reached its perfect peak.

...oh wait! Here's another:

And hiding away in the very middle, coyly tucked between branches and still-green baby tomatoes, one more perfectly red specimen.

What should we do with our very first little tomatoes? Should we eat them straight up? Pair them with fresh basil and cheese? What would you do with your first tomatoes? Is there any special ceremony appropriate to the occasion?

(Images: Faith Hopler)

Comments (9)

I would pop it in my mouth while no one is looking. Fresh, alive, sweet.

posted by buda on July 14th 2008 at 12:52pm
view buda's profile

I'd slice it first, but otherwise I agree with buda.

posted by surplusj on July 14th 2008 at 12:53pm
view surplusj's profile

I pop cherry tomatoes like they are candy but for the larger sized ones, we had our first heirloom of the season in a bacon and basil sandwich.

posted by rosebud on July 14th 2008 at 12:55pm
view rosebud's profile

Slice it, sprinkle with sea salt and eat.

posted by art on July 14th 2008 at 12:56pm
view art's profile

Two slices soft bread, mayo (Duke's, for authentic flavor) on one slice, add tomato, sprinkle with salt and fresh pepper, top with the other slice, and eat.

Although eating it like an apple isn't a bad idea, either.

posted by jenilowrance on July 14th 2008 at 3:39pm
view jenilowrance's profile

slice and sprinkle a bit of salt and sugar.

posted by sugarpond on July 14th 2008 at 4:26pm
view sugarpond's profile

If it's big enough, get some buffalo mozzarella and make caprese.

posted by ChzPlz on July 14th 2008 at 4:35pm
view ChzPlz's profile

I used our first yellow cherry tomatoes, along with our basil, this weekend to make these watermelon-basil-tomato skewers. You make a balsamic/sugar reduction that was so tasty, (I didn't use the olive oil). The perfect summer appetizer, went so well with our ribeyes and baby red twice baked potatoes.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/everyday-italian/tomato-watermelon-and-basil-skewers-recipe/index.html

posted by bobcatsteph3 on July 14th 2008 at 6:41pm
view bobcatsteph3's profile

Slice of rustic bread, toasted and slightly buttered, sliced tomato on top, and on top of that some fresh chives.

posted by nik77 on July 15th 2008 at 1:59am
view nik77's profile