Summer Fest: Tasty Takes on 6 Types of Summer Tomatoes

A sweet and savory combination of heirloom tomatoes, watermelon and feta cheese makes for a Refreshing Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad.
By: Cameron Curtis

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Refreshing Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad

Our season-long garden party Summer Fest 2012 welcomes food and garden bloggers to feature garden-to-table recipes and tips. We’ll feature favorite garden-to-table recipes and tips to help you enjoy the bounty, whether you’re harvesting your own goodies or buying them fresh from the market. Fresh this week: tomatoes.

Tomatoes are at their seasonal peak. There are thousands of varieties of the bright, juicy and incredibly versatile fruit. We've narrowed down the list to our favorite ways to prepare six of them:

Heirloom Tomatoes

A sweet and savory combination of heirloom tomatoes, watermelon and feta cheese makes for a Refreshing Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad (pictured above). Use heirlooms in all colors and sizes to get the most pop on your plate.

Beefsteak Tomatoes

Simmer tomatoes and zucchini for this Supper of Tomatoes, Zucchini and Basil that requires just five ingredients. Sop up the combination with a piece of crusty bread.

A Supper of Zucchini, Tomatoes, and Basil
Standard Globe Tomatoes

Use medium-sized tomatoes for Chuck Hughes' Tomato Cheese Tart. Cover filo dough with Swiss cheese and top with sliced tomatoes and thyme leaves before baking until the crust is browned.

Green Tomatoes

Unripe tomatoes are the key ingredient to this classic, Fried Green Tomatoes, since they'll keep their crunchiness.  These salty-sweet tomatoes are coated in buttermilk and panko crumbs and then fried to crispy perfection.

Fried Green Tomatoes with Green Chile Mayonnaise

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

Cherry Tomatoes

Grape tomatoes are known for their sweetness, making them a delicious part of this Potato, Tomato, Corn and Basil Salad. There's no need to cook them; just toss with the potatoes and their flavor will really shine.

Potato, Tomato, Corn and Basil Salad
Plum Tomatoes

Make a fresh Tomato Salsa with plum tomatoes, jalapenos, lime and olive oil. It's an easy, blender-friendly dip that will take just a few minutes to prepare.

Potato, Tomato, Corn and Basil Salad

More tomato recipes from family and friends:
Cooking With Elise: Fresh Tomato Sauce
Jeanette's Healthy Living: Tomato Gazpacho Salsa
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Tomato Cobbler Anyone?

What's Gaby Cooking: Chicken Kebabs With Romesco Sauce

Chez Us: Easy Tomato Tart
Made By Michelle: Tomato and Pesto Pizza
Ingredients, Inc.: Lighter Fried Green Tomatoes
From My Corner of Saratoga: Tomato Jam
Dishin & Dishes: Tomato Zucchini Frittata
Sweet Life Bake: Pico de Gallo

Thursday Night Dinner: Tomato and Watermelon Salad

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