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Virtual CSA Box: Tomatoes

2007_07_24-Tomato.jpgDo we really need any help deciding what to do with our summer tomatoes? It's high tomato season, and they should be showing up in CSA boxes around the country. We love summer tomatoes, especially the ugly ones. What will you do with yours?

Here's a few tips to keep in mind. Don't put fresh tomatoes in the fridge - it makes them mealy and mushy. Do, however, put them in the oven and make Oven Dried Tomatoes - this brings out their flavor so well. More recipes and ideas below...

 
 

Our Mozzacado Sandwich puts fresh tomatoes to good use, as does the classic Insalata Caprese and this Tomato and Squash Gratin. Try a fresh Pico de Gallo too.

Elsewhere, we're hungering for the Wednesday Chef's Tomatoes Filled with Rice and Kalyn's Zucchini Salad with Tomato. This White Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad looks cool and delicious.

Talk tomatoes here!

(Image credit: Guy-Sports)

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Virtual CSA Box, GREEN IDEAS

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Comments (10)

The stuffed tomato recipe in the July Martha Stewart is delicious. I love the unexpected sweetness of the peaches (nectarines work well, too).

posted by chiffonade on July 24th 2007 at 10:27am
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Ensalada Chilena--slices (at least in my house we did slices, other people do cubes) of tomato, very thinly sliced onions, cilantro, oil and a squirt of lemon. Very simple--and I'm sure many other places lay claim to this as well--, but it's heavenly in the summer.

posted by anesly on July 24th 2007 at 12:32pm
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yes, keep the tomato out of the fridge
and don't wash it until ready to use -- they have a natural protection of some kind on the skin.
(I marvel at the stuff my mama taught me...)

posted by guido on July 24th 2007 at 3:10pm
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i like to slice them up and just put a bit of cracked sea salt, delicious!

posted by universal mod on July 24th 2007 at 4:05pm
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I was trying to recreate a recipe from a local Italian restaurant and this recipe is right on. So easy, so good. Its pretty much a no cook meal. If the link doesn't work, it's the Food and Wine Magazine Summer Tomato Sauce

http://yumsugar.com/416200

Even better if you substitute some fresh mozzarella chunks for the parmesan.

posted by MC on July 24th 2007 at 5:41pm
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dice them up with some corn and avocado, add some lime juice and salt...amazing!

posted by debtex on July 25th 2007 at 5:21am
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Roast with garlic and parsley and freeze in small batches for winter!

posted by nycflatcats on July 25th 2007 at 5:43am
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My CSA has been giving us abundant amounts of tomatoes (though, alas, they did not give us the heritage varieties they promised). I sliced a few up for sandwiches and diced them for a tabbouleh salad. But my favorite use of all is fresh tomato sauce. There's nothing better.

posted by verily on July 25th 2007 at 6:30am
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I have to say--after reading this post, my productivity plummeted and I spent the rest of the afternoon daydreaming about tomatoes =)

posted by anesly on July 25th 2007 at 6:33am
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gazpacho, gazpacho, gazpacho!

posted by cyn on July 25th 2007 at 1:56pm
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