When the end of summer rolls around and the first of the summer tomatoes roll in, ripe off the vine, there’s nothing better than a thick, juicy slice sprinkled with salt. Once I get that offering out of the way, I typically make a classic Southern Tomato Pie, but I’m eager to introduce other preparations into the mix this year.
I asked our editors about the fresh summer tomato recipes that they wait all year to eat, and their answers didn’t disappoint. From classic tomato sandwiches to saucy summer pastas and zingy, refreshing gazpacho, this list is a rich source of recipe ideas to try this season.
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BLT
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
You can’t go wrong with a summer tomato BLT. This recipe is no-frills, but it packs all the necessary punches. “Nothing fancy, just delicious,” says the recipe, and our senior editor Courtney Kassel insists on extra mayo, every time.
Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga
This cherry tomato pasta is bursting with flavor and ridiculously easy to make from scratch. Our editors swear by this classic for simple summer made-from-scratch pasta recipes that use up the best of end-of-summer tomatoes of all kinds.
Pan con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread)
Ramona Cruz-Peters
Associate editorial director Cally Rhine opts for the simple, yet effortlessly classy Pan con Tomate, which technically means “tomato bread.” It’s a traditional dish from the Catalan region of Spain originally, but the sweet and flavorful combination of fresh garlic, tomato, salt, and oil has won our hearts the world over.
Cherry Tomato Galette
As for what writer Keaton Larson opts for with his fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes? A classic tomato galette, without question. “Hands down,” days Larson. “Love to make it, love to eat it.” With buttery flaky crust and a nutty goat cheese, we don’t blame him.
Tarte aux Moutarde
“I am obsessed with French tomato tarts, says senior editor Courtney Kassel. “They’re so easy and soooo delicious… I make this but with Sungolds and add butter and it’s heaven.”
Nora Ephron’s Linguini Alla Cecca
Getty: adrisbow (Adriana lopetrone)
“There’s truly no better way to celebrate the end of summer than with a fresh pasta dish that features the absolute best tomatoes and basil of the year,” says senior editor Courtney Kassel “Enter: Linguine alla Cecca. Rachel Samstat, the (more-than-loosely based on Ephron herself) protagonist in ‘Heartburn’ describes this dish as ‘a hot pasta with a cold tomato and basil sauce’ that’s ‘so light and delicate that it’s almost like eating a salad.'”
Greek Baked Zucchini and Potatoes
Fresh tomatoes are absolutely essential for Briam, a baked Greek dish of potatoes, zucchini, and onions. It’s a simple oven bake, but fresh summer tomatoes make each ingredient and herb sing.
Chef John’s Gazpacho
More than a few of our editors wait all year to make gazpacho, the classic cold soup of summer—and they aren’t afraid to play around with flavors. Our senior editor Courtney Kassel, for instance, uses sherry and cubanelle pepper to bring some depth of flavor, brightness, and heat to the dish. But you don’t have to do anything fancy to get that sweet and tangy flavor, thanks to the freshest flavor of late summer tomatoes.
Greek Horiatiki Salad
When she’s not reaching for a simple snack of fresh tomatoes with a sprinkle of salt, senior content manager Frances Crouter is making Greek Horiataki Salad, an herby dish of tomatoes, feta, red onion, olives and oregano. From summer lunches to end-of-the-season parties, it’s always a hit.
Tomato Sandwich
Allrecipes/Peyton Beckwith/Natalie Gravois
The secret to senior editor Corey Williams’ best-ever tomato sandwich? Potato chips. She opts for a thick-cut kettle chip with salt and black pepper. “A handful of crunchy chips perfectly balances out the mush while lending welcome saltiness,” says Williams.
More Summer Cooking Inspiration
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