What to do with cherry tomatoes

[Jacqueline Cahoon]

Back in the spring, I discovered that what I thought was a normal-size orange tomato plant was in fact an orange *cherry* tomato. I loath & despise cherry tomatoes, and have just been giving them away to more tolerant neighbors and co-workers.

But while washing off the newly-ripened tomatoes this evening, I popped one in my mouth. It was the best-tasting tomato I've ever had,

*very* sweet balanced with a delicate spiciness, meaty & with very few seeds. Needless to say, I'm hording the rest of my crop.

Eating them by the handful is quite satisfactory, but I'm wondering what else I can do with them that doesn't overwhelm that delicate sweetness. Even a salad seems too heavy-handed. Any ideas?

[Keith Warren]

Jacqueline,

I planted two Sweet 100's and a Grape that have all flourished. I've given so many away, people now run whenever they see me with a basket in hand. I'm thinking of trying to dry some so that I can at least save them for later.

To your question.............

I have two pasta dishes, (One hot & mild and one cold& spicy) where Grape or Cherry Tomatoes are the centerpiece flavor-wise that I'd be happy to share.

If your interested, email me off-line (since this is a Garden forum and not a Recipe forum) and I'll send'em on over.

Keith

kill the "spamhater" in my address and messages will find their way home.

[Travis]

Do you have a husband? Is his name Geoff?

[Mathew in the Mountains]

Cherry tomatoes are GREAT as a garnish for Ceasars or Bloody Marys.

In Vino Veritas

[Ornata]

I find the sweetness of cherry tomatoes works really well in a tabouleh. Chop loads of them in half (or even quarters if you can be bothered) and add to wholegrain couscous (just as it is - not soaked). Add lots of chopped flat-leaf parsley, some mint, chopped red onion, lemon juice, olive oil, salt. Leave to stand, and the juice from the tomatoes and lemons will soften the couscous.

[Bourne Identity]

I make Baba Ganush and spread it warm onto Wasa Crackers, topped with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and halved cherry tomatoes. Actually, I grow grape tomatoes. The mockingbirds and cardinals have their own plants and it is great fun watching them fight over them and try to feed them to their fledgelings.

Victoria