Tomato Inspiration: 15 Summer-Loving Recipes

At the farm, summertime means harvest time. With so many vegetables and herbs coming out of our field, it’s easy to be inspired.

Not every year is a good year for tomatoes. Blight and other setbacks just happen — it’s part of farming! 

This year though, our tomato crop looks nice and plentiful. I have been living on practically tomato-everything. From sandwiches, fresh salsa, quesadillas, tomato, basil and egg toast, bruschetta, to gazpacho. Sometimes I even get tomato-ed out, so I am prepped and ready for next season!

Tomatoes are perfect for any summer dish whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There’s no shortage of fruits and vegetables during these warm months, and one of the best, most-versatile items to enjoy is a bright, ripe tomato. 

The “Indigo Rose” tomato comes from a program at Oregon State University. It is bred to have anthocyanins (what is in blueberries) in its fruit. Indigo Rose’s genesis began in the 1960s, when two breeders – one from Bulgaria and the other from the United States – first crossed-cultivated tomatoes with wild species from Chile and the Galapagos Islands. Some wild tomato species have anthocyanins in their fruit, and until now, tomatoes grown in home gardens have had the beneficial pigment only in their leaves and stems, which are inedible.

Wondering how to use all those tomatoes popping up in your garden? Or perhaps how to incorporate those cheery fresh farm-bought beauties picked in their peak of freshness? Well, good news! We’re here with 15 gorgeous fresh tomato recipes that will put all of that sweet summer bounty to good use. So grab a pound or twenty of your favorite variety of juicy ripe tomatoes and go to town.

Flame Tomatoes

Go beyond basic

Simple pastas and salads are often classic picks for putting the tomato to work, but these juicy bites can go beyond the basics as well. 

Here are 15 ideas and recipes to take tomatoes to the next level —, and celebrate these beauties all summer long.

1. Watermelon, Cherry Tomato and Basil Salad
2. Garden Bruschetta with Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic
3. Tomatoes with Mozzarella, Basil, and Balsamic Vinegar
4. Cherry Tomato and Gruyere Cobbler
5. Heirloom Tomato Salad with Herbs and Salted Capers
6. Simple Tomato Sauce
7. Mozzarella and Basil Stuffed Tomatoes
8. Sun-dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
9. Heirloom Tomato Pie
10. Spicy Tomato Jam
11. Fried Tomatoes
12. Homemade Chili
13. Slow roasted Organic Tomatoes with Herbes de Provence herb blend, Mexican Oregano, Thyme or Basil and Lavender
14. Oven Roasted Tomatoes with Olive Oil and Parmesan
15. Heirloom Tomato Late-Summer Gazpacho with Roasted Jalapeño

Enjoy them any way you’d like

Tomatoes are a great item to cook with or enjoy by themselves — and they’re nutritious too.

Tomatoes are an incredibly versatile superfood – no matter how you eat them, they are full of powerful antioxidants, provide a healthy dose of lycopene, and are a great source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Learn more about the nutritional facts behind tomatoes here.

Ready to grab yourself a few tomatoes while they’re in season? Stop by the farm Friday – Saturday 10am to 4pm or you can book an appointment here!

If you make any of these fresh tomato recipes, we want to hear about it! Snap a photo of your creation and be sure to tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @sagecreations. Happy eating!