Every 'Tomato Girl Summer' Should Begin With These 10 Recipes
It's been a year for the girls. We've seen Coastal Cowgirls, Clean Girls, VSCO Girls, Girl Dinners and all the core girls (Mermaidcore, Barbiecore, Cottagecore, etc.) but TikTok has blessed us once again with yet another "it girl" aesthetic and this time there's food involved.
Welcome to Tomato Girl Summer, which according to TikTokkers, is all about channeling a Mediterranean summer mindset, one where you spend lazy days sipping Aperol Spritzes and exploring idyllic coastal towns, before settling in for delicious dinners starring fresh tomato pasta and pristine shellfish towers. Or, at least that's the menu we're envisioning over here, whilst planning our very best tomato girl life.
Related: Here's the Foolproof Way to Make an Aperol Spritz Like an Italian
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Given that tomato girl summer has arrived during peak tomato season, it only makes sense to share a few of our best tomato-based recipes, including pasta, salsa, salad — and even an heirloom tomato margarita. But first, a little more background on the trend.
What Is the Tomato Girl Summer Trend?
Clearly, the reoccurring theme here is tomatoes, which you'll see in just about every TikTok video that's going viral, but we would also like to call out the wanderlust element of the trend. Being a tomato girl this summer means being mentally there (vacationing in The Med) even when you're physically here (sweating buckets in your backyard with a sprinkler system stand-in for the Tyrrhenian Sea).
Tomato girls are a vibe after all, so grab any linen, ruffled or fruity, frock you own (lemons work especially well with this theme) and head to the nearest farmers' market to collect your fresh tomato bounty. We're talking big reds (beefsteak, heirlooms, San Marzanos) and the littles (cherries, cocktail tomatoes, Super Sweet 100s) and perhaps, a green zebra or two—just in case.
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Best Tomato Girl Summer Recipes
Now, let's be clear: The only essentials you really need to succeed at tomato girl summer are, well, tomatoes, plus high-quality olive oil and some flaky sea salt for good measure. This would be a perfectly fine formula for tomato girl purists to indulge in, preferably in a seaside location somewhere, but tomato-loving gourmands might find themselves adding burst cherries to galettes, tossing chopped Romas into big bowls of pasta or using a tangy tomato bloody mary mix to marinate shellfish. We're here for all of it. We're also big fans of Athena Calderone (EyeSwoon)'s Grilled Halibut with Sungold Tomatoes, Corn and Salsa Verde recipe, which is Mediterranean fare at its finest:
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Keep scrolling for a few more tomato-girl-approved recipes to test out this summer.
Slow-Cooked Burst Cherry Tomato Galette
Courtesy of Nourish Evolution
This savory freeform tart is delicious for a weeknight dinner or weekend brunch. Between the fragrant basil, burst cherry tomatoes and flaky pie crust, it's definitely serving tomato girl in every bite.
Get the recipe: Slow-Cooked Burst Cherry Tomato Galette
Related: 14 Delicious Ways To Use Heirloom Tomatoes
Mediterranean Fish with Vegetables
Courtesy of Mark Boughton Photography
As flavorful as it is colorful, this dish by Nan Kelley (One Pan Nan) is basically a Greek salad nestled around boneless, white fish fillets (we like tilapia or flounder for this).
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Fish with Vegetables
Fresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccine
Courtesy of Taste of Home
This summer-worthy pasta is loaded with farm-fresh veggies, like corn shaved off the cob, vine-ripened tomatoes and tangy feta cheese. It's also a super versatile recipe. Swap in or add zucchini and/or eggplant to the mix and feel free to switch out the whole wheat fettuccine for your favorite gluten-free pasta for a low-carb alternative. We think a corn-based pasta would be especially good here.
Get the recipe: Fresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccine
Heirloom Tomato Bread Salad
Courtesy of Alison Ashton
No proper tomato girl summer is complete without a proper Panzanella. The rustic, Tuscan-inspired salad consists of stale bread, chopped veggies (tomatoes, onions, cucumber or peppers) and a simple vinaigrette—or just a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar.
Mediterranean Zucchini Roasted With Olives, Feta & Tomatoes
Courtesy of David Loftus
Zucchini can be unfairly maligned, but try this pantry dish with olives and sun-dried tomatoes and you’ll have new green-vegetable converts in your house. Add a bowl of lemony couscous on the side for a lovely dinner.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Zucchini Roasted With Olives, Feta and Tomatoes
Tomato Salad with Pickled Shallots
Courtesy of Eva Kosmas Flores
Combine sweet, acidic, umami-bomb roasted tomatoes with pickled shallots and chiles for a gorgeous salad that hits all the culinary high notes.
Get the recipe: Tomato Salad with Pickled Shallots
Bloody Mary Lobster Tails
Courtesy of Jim Henkens
A refreshing update on a classic seafood cocktail, these bloody Mary lobster tails have a lighter, zippy sauce that also works well with cooked shrimp or crab. Can’t find endive? Use shredded romaine or other lettuce as a base for the salad.
Get the recipe: Bloody Mary Lobster Tails
Fresh Corn and Tomato Salsa
Courtesy of Andrew Purcell
For summer entertaining (or outdoor snacking), you can't go wrong with a simple salsa. This one is packed with juicy tomatoes, crisp corn kernels and lots of lime and cilantro. Just add tortilla chips, pita wedges or scoopers and you'll have an easy app in less than 10 minutes.
Heirloom Tomato Margarita
Courtesy of Alison Ashton
Put those juicy summer tomatoes from your garden or farmers’ market to good use—in your margarita! Light and refreshing, this is bound to become your go-to summer cocktail. Tomato tip: Store your heirlooms at room temperature (out of direct sunlight). Refrigerating them makes them mealy.
Get the recipe: Heirloom Tomato Margarita
Caprese Pasta Salad
Courtesy of Mark Boughton Photography
This one-pot meal inspired by the Italian Caprese salad is made with sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and torn basil leaves. It's delicious served warm or cold.
Get the recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad