The Spicy Spatula

Are you a big fan of tomatoes? I don’t just mean that you love fresh salsa or a good salad or gazpacho, I mean you can just slice and lightly salt & pepper a tomato and attack it. Does that sound familiar to you? If so you’ll appreciate this quick and easy post.

Today we’re talking about tomatoes, the delicious fruit that passes itself off as a vegetable like a sneaky little spy.

I’ve always been a fan of tomatoes and I can tell you without a doubt that I got this trait from my dad. For as long as I can remember, he could be found with a big, juicy heirloom tomatoes on a plate in slices with salt, pepper and garlic on top and that was it. He didn’t drizzle it with balsamic vinegar, which I have been known to do, or anything lavish like that.

But you can.

Tomatoes are really great right now and here in Romania the heirloom tomatoes are called Țărănești, which basically means “country-style/rustic/rural” (tara = country), but they are heirloom tomatoes as you might recognize them in the United States, Germany or United Kingdom. Perhaps other places as well, but I can speak on these places.

Anyway, when the tomatoes are big and juicy like they’ve been this year, they make a perfect snack or a light & refreshing meal in extreme weather.

This is a variation on one of my favorite recipes when it’s too hot to do anything but use your cutting board, knife & mixing bowl.

Why Heirlooms?

Heirloom tomatoes are notoriously juicy and super-sized, which make them perfect to eat completely on their own or with just a few edible accessories. I find that these tomatoes are always perfect ripe when the season arrives, which means you don’t have to squeeze two dozen just to find three or four that satisfy your tomato craving.

If you’re lucky, you find them in a variety of colors to increase your nutrient intake and the razzle-dazzle of any plate.

Heirloom tomatoes also make the perfect slice for any type of sub or hoagie sandwich, and you can even toss them into your vegan salad. These are versatile and delicious, everything you could possibly want for any fresh vegan recipe.

Vegan Tomato Salad

If you have anything on hand such as olives, shallots or scallions and vinegar, then you have everything you need for a quick vegan snack or an easy vegan side salad. Give me some crispy fried onions and that’s the icing on an easy vegan salad recipe.

It’s easy to do and the best thing is that tomatoes are incredibly calorie friendly so don’t feel bad about using 2 giant Țărănești tomatoes.