Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes #SundaySupper

by Anne Papina on July 29, 2013

Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes | Webicurean

One of my favorite weekend rituals is hitting the local farmers’ market, and San Francisco has no shortage, with one in nearly every neighborhood. This weekend #SundaySupper is all about farmers’ markets and enjoying the local bounty–T.R. over at Nobody Likes Crumbley Cookies is hosting. Of course, the farmers’ market is the best place to get heirloom tomatoes, so today, I’m stuffing some for you.

I’m sure you’ve noticed the whole farm to table/locavore scene is quite trendy right now–I mean, who wouldn’t love getting the freshest produce straight from the farm? Farmers’ markets and road-side stands are a valuable resource, but it’s not all about the food.There’s a whole social scene, and that’s what I love most. Maybe I appreciate it more living in a big city. The pace is pretty laid back with folks milling around, sampling produce and interacting with one another. You might run into a neighbor. You might make a new friend. Virtually everyone is in a good mood, and there’s a real sense of community, even when you’re surrounded by total strangers. That’s the real magic of a farmers’ market.

If you’re not sure where to find a farmers’ market in your area, the USDA has set up a searchable National Farmers Market Directory–just enter your zip code and hit search.

In the meantime, let’s get these stuffed heirloom tomatoes in the oven. This recipe was adapted from one I found in a Williams-Sonoma catalog several years ago.

Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes | Webicurean

Try to find tomatoes that are similar in size. Wash, then core the tomatoes, scooping out all the seeds. Salt and pepper inside, then place upside down on a plate to drain.

Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes | Webicurean

While the tomatoes are resting, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil. Then add the mushrooms, cooking until softened. Then add the sausage and pepper flakes, sauteing until the sausage is thoroughly cooked.

Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes | Webicurean

While the sausage is cooking, make the bread crumbs–I toasted about four slices of Pugliese, then ran them through the food processor. Using fresh bread crumbs makes all the difference in the world!

Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes | Webicurean

Once the sausage is cooked, remove from heat and drain off a bit of the fat. Let the sausage mixture cool for a few minutes, then stir in the bread crumbs and 1/2 cup of the cheese along with the herbs.

Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes | Webicurean

Arrange the tomatoes in a large baking dish, then stuff generously with the sausage mixture.  Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and drizzle a little olive oil over the tops. Bake this for about 30 minutes or until golden.

Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes | Webicurean

Let these cool for a few minutes before serving.

Here’s the printable version:

Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Juicy heirloom tomatoes are stuffed with a combination of mushrooms, Italian sausage, and fresh breadcrumbs to make a simple and light meal.
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 8-10 heirloom tomatoes
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, finely diced
  • ½ lb crimini mushrooms, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb mild Italian sausage, casings removed
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp fresh marjoram, minced
  • 2 cups fresh bread crumbs, lightly toasted
  • ¾ cup Parmigian-Reggiano cheese, grated
  • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, minced
  • Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375F
  2. Core tomatoes, scooping out the seeds with a spoon. Season the insides with salt and pepper, and place tomatoes on a plate, cut side down.
  3. In a saute pan over medium-high heat, saute the onion in the olive oil until translucent. Add the garlic and mushrooms, and saute for 5 minutes, until the mushrooms soften.
  4. Then add the sausage and red pepper flakes. Cook, breaking the sausage into small pieces, until done (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and cool about 10 minutes.
  5. Stir the marjoram, bread crumbs, ½ cup cheese, and the parsley into the sausage mixture.
  6. Stuff the tomatoes with the filling and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle tomatoes with the remaining cheese, and drizzle a bit of olive oil over the tops.
  7. Bake 30-35 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Makes 8-10 stuffed tomatoes.

 

Let’s see what the others have cooked up!

Appetizers & Salads
Garlic Scape Dip from The Girl In the Little Red Kitchen
Onion Bacon Jam with Bread n’ Brie from Gotta Get Baked
Kale & Pepita Pesto from girlichef
Garden Quinoa Salad from The Urban Mrs
Grilled Cherry Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad from Pescetarian Journal
Watermelon-Feta Salad with Pomegranate Drizzle from The Weekend GourmetSoups & Sides
Watermelon Gazpacho from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Classic Gazpacho from Curious Cuisiniere
Pea Soup from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Pickled Garlic Scapes from kimchi MOM
Cheesy Zucchini Hodge Podge from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Succotash from Magnolia Days
3 Easy Japanese Spinach Recipes from NinjaBaking.com
Michigan-Made Meal with Seasoned Potato Chips from Foxes Love Lemons

Entrees
Summer Veggie Pizza from Country Girl In The Village
Tomato Pie from The Hand That Rocks The Ladle
Kitchen Sink Vegetable Curry from What Smells So Good?
Margherita Pizza from Growing Up Gabel
Cheesy Zucchini Fritters from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Three Sauces with Summer Herbs to Transform a Simple Grilled Dinner from Cook the Story
Vegetable Quesadillas from Cookin’ Mimi
Mushroom Scallion Risotto from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Lemony Summer Linguine with Grilled Vegetables from Neighborfood
Pasta alla Norma Nuda from Juanita’s Cocina
Arugula Pizza from Family Foodie

Desserts
Peach Cobbler from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Coconut Cherry Bars from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Lightened Up Peach and Blueberry Cobbler from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Cherry Brandy Cobbler from The Wimpy Vegetarian
Peach Maple Ice Cream from Pies and Plots
Cherry Clafoutis from Food Lust People Love
Roasted Figs with Caramel, Honey Ice Cream and Aged Balsamic from Crazy Foodie Stunts
Peach Ice Cream Paletas from Basic N Delicious
Gluten Free Sour Cherry Cake from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter today! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our#SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips July 30, 2013 at 10:45 am

Oh wow, these sound fabulous!! I bet the sausage makes them so flavorful.

Reply

Anne Papina July 30, 2013 at 11:58 am

It does, and I’m not normally a big fan of Italian sausage… but I’m loving these even more than stuffed bell peppers–and the tomatoes just melt in your mouth!

Reply

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