Italian-Style Stuffed Tomatoes

So I can’t believe I haven’t told you guys yet but we decided to buy a CSA share! Last week we picked up our first CSA box from Stranger’s Hill Farm. Oh my god- what an exciting experience! I felt like a little kid headed to Discovery Zone. After work on Thursday, Wyatt and I drove out into the country (which really is only 6 miles from our house- hellloooooo Midwest) to pick up our first share from the farm. Being a locavore and produce enthusiast, this was too cool to see the farm from which my organic produce would be coming from each week. And I love the fact that you never know what you are going to get…it’s like a surprise goodie bag for foodies!

Anyhow, we got loads of goodies in our box for the first week: kale, tomatoes, summer squash, sun flowers, basil, and so much corn on the cob (hey, it is Indiana!). I am really hoping this will push new cooking limits as well because I have to find new recipes to use ingredients I wouldn’t usually purchase (I usually stick to spinach so kale was a nice challenge for me!).

Well, I am telling you this because the first recipe I tackled with our CSA produce were these stuffed tomatoes. I was a bit skeptical about wasting the insides of the tomatoes since they are sooooo fresh and delicious but the breadcrumb stuffing was a well suited replacement. And to be completely honest, those insides weren’t wasted because they ended up being munched down on before I cleaned up the cutting board.

PS- Omit the Parmesan to make vegan!

 

 

Italian-Style Stuffed Tomatoes

  • 5 medium tomatoes
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 8 basil leaves, chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons dried oregano
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
  • Olive Oil, for drizzling
  • Salt/Pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut an inch circle off the top of the tomato and scoop out the inside with a small spoon. If the tomato is wobbly, cut a tiny bit off the bottom so that it stands. Then, place in a greased baking pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

In a mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, oregano, garlic, thyme, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan. Fill the tomatoes with the mixture and drizzle olive oil on top of each.

Cook for about 12 minutes or until the breadcrumbs have become crispy on the top. Season with salt and pepper and top with the rest of the Parmesan.

Serve warm as an appetizer for a low maintenance grilling session or a fancy Italian dinner!

 

Comment

6 Comments

  • Allison
    July 17, 2012

    Yum! I just made similar stuffed peppers last night, but these look even better…

  • LotusArtichoke
    July 17, 2012

    Looks very tasty! I want to do something like this again soon. It’s been a while. I’ve been thinking about stuffed tomatoes for a while, thinking about my own recipe which is based on one I learned from my mom. In the past I’ve also used leftover rice mixed with the breadcrumbs… and/or crumbled tofu. Without the cheese you have to work a bit harder to keep them interesting. Fresh herbs, as you’ve got, really help.

    • shellywest
      LotusArtichoke
      July 17, 2012

      I love your idea of using crumbled tofu! I bet it adds great texture and makes it more filling

  • masters2marathons
    July 18, 2012

    Looks awesome! Someday when I’m no longer in school and moving practically every year, I too would like to join a monthly ‘produce’ share! Where I currently live, there are SO MANY OPTIONS. There are different produce shares and even seafood shares (I am by the ocean…). I just hope they have these where ever I decide to move 🙂

  • Erina
    July 18, 2012

    CSAs are the best, aren’t they!? They though are also oddly stressful…or maybe that’s just me.

    I adore baked tomatoes, and love the idea of stuffing them with even more goodness.

    Thanks for the inspiration!

  • pumpernickelsdeli
    July 19, 2012

    Wow this looks absolutely delicious

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