How to Build the Perfect Tomato Salad
TOMATO SEASON IS HERE!
Tomato Day is on Saturday, July 12th! We can't wait to celebrate this season's tomatoes with you.
From old favorites like Sun Gold, Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, and Big Beef, to lesser-known varieties like Black Krim, Chef’s Choice, Mountain Magic, Super Sweet 100, and Tomimaru Muchoo - farmers at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market grow over 70 different types of tomatoes.
We invite you to wear your favorite tomato outfit and tomato accessories to Tomato Day!
Look out for lots of tomato content on our Instagram and Facebook in the next couple of weeks!
Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect at Tomato Day this year...
Samples of this year's most popular tomato varieties, fresh from the farmers
Tomato Day zines with info on all the tomato varieties at the CFM and the farmers who grow them, tomato specials at local Carrboro businesses, recipes, tasting notes, and more
Guest Chef Brandon Sharp of Bluebird, Hawthorn & Wood, and Próximo
Limited-edition Tomato Day merchandise with this year's t-shirt, featuring a cheerful tomato on a bicycle, with baskets full of tomatoes, designed by The Splinter Group - including multiple colors in unisex and select youth sizes printed by TS Designs, as well as posters and stickers (please note that we do not allow preorders for Tomato Day merch)
Welcome stations at market entrances with info on local tomatoes and event activities
Giant raffle with prizes from local Carrboro businesses
Photo booth with hand-painted art by Carrboro artist Hannah Reed
Tomato-y specials from CFM prepared foods vendors
And more!
Back Alley Bikes will host a Tomato Day bike cruise in honor of the event. Cyclists can meet at Back Alley Bikes (100 Boyd St, Carrboro) at 8:00am for an 8:30am rollout. The family-friendly ride is a pleasant, social pace jaunt around Carrboro: the route is approximately 10 miles with short breaks built in as needed, and it ends at the Market.
All bikes and all folks welcome. Attendees at Tomato Day who ride their bike to Market can show their helmet to Market staff and receive a free Tomato Day sticker!
Thank you to our Tomato Day sponsors Laser Image Printing & Marketing, Visit Carrboro, Endswell Funeral Home, and The Splinter Group!
HOW TO BUILD THE PERFECT TOMATO SALAD
Summer brings with it many iconic tomato dishes: crisp BLTs, chilled gazpacho, juicy tomato sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, caprese salad, and so much more. However, what could be more refreshing than a tomato salad with other in-season produce?
The combinations for a tomato salad are endless with just a few key components! To complement the juicy tomato, add something sweet, something crunchy, and something smooth to make the perfect tomato salad this summer.
Here are a few examples of ~perfect~ tomato salads you can make at home or add your twist on!
Slicer tomatoes from Lyon Farms
PANZANELLA WITH SLICER TOMATOES
If you’ve got stale bread in your pantry, transform it into panzanella, a Tuscan summer staple. Cut your bread into bite-sized pieces, then combine it with big chunks of ripe slicer tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil to bring out the tomato’s umami. Then, top it off with fresh market watermelon to add some sweetness. The juices from these ingredients help soften the bread while still preserving the bread’s delightful crunch.
Try this with Chicken Bridge Bakery’s artisan sourdough bread and mozzarella from Chapel Hill Creamery!
Fresh peaches from McAdams Farm
2. HIERLOOM TOMATO & PEACH SALAD
Taste the flavors of summer with this vibrant heirloom tomato and peach salad. Heirloom tomatoes boast a diverse spectrum of colors, with mixtures of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple hues.
To assemble, arrange sliced peaches and heirloom tomatoes on a bed of creamy whipped ricotta, then top it off with a sprinkling of pistachio crumbles and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Look for peaches at the Market with Lyon Farms, James Creek Cider House, and McAdams Farm!
Sungold tomatoes at the Market
3. SUNGOLD & COUSCOUS BOWL
Our last tomato salad concept combines the bright and slightly-sweet sungold with crisp cucumber slices, tossed with peppery arugula, tangy feta, and pearled couscous. Topped with swirls of honey and freshly-chopped dill, this pairs well with a citrusy vinaigrette.
Try this with fresh feta from Boxcarr Handmade Cheese, or supplement it with grilled haloumi. Don’t forget local honey from Fricks Apiaries and Orby Dare Orchard!
We hope you are just as excited for tomato season as we are at the Market! It truly is the best time of the year. Enjoy these tomato recipe ideas at home, and make the most of the bounty of summer!
