Tomatoes

Description: One of the nations favourite to grow, although a great deal of care and attention is required to grow tomatoes organically. You will find tomatoes in the boxes in a number of different shapes, sizes and even colours but some of the most popular and tasty ones are cherry and cheery plum tomatoes grown by Adrian Izzard in the summer.

In season: July to October

Preparation: Tomatoes are great eaten raw in salads. Cherry varieties can go in whole but bigger ones can be sliced or quartered. Tomatoes can be nice fried as well as part of a full English breakfast or to accompany a steak. Cut in half and fry face down in a little oil and pepper for 5 minutes. Tomatoes are also a vital ingredient of a mulitude of soups, mediterranean dishes and curries.

Recipe: Tangy tomato salad
Cut 4-5 tomatoes into slices and spread out at the bottom of a deep dish. Pour a liberal amount of balsamic vinegar over the sliced tomatoes and allow to soak in for 15 minutes. Grind black pepper over the top and throw on a handful of fresh basil leaves, it is now ready to serve.

Roasted Tomato & Feta Pasta Sauce
750g tomatoes
3 cloves garlic
8 tbsp olive oil
200g Feta cheese
100g fresh basil
Roughly chop tomatoes and place on baking tray. Crush the garlic over the tomatoes, add the oil and mingle together. Roast at 200oC (gas mark 6) for 30 minutes. Cut Feta cheese into small cubes. Shred the basil leaves and mix roasted tomatoes, feta cheese and basil together. Heat gently and serve with freshly cooked pasta.