Kumato Tomato Salad

Have you tried a kumato yet?

Although it's billed as the "brown tomato", the color is really more like a blend of dark greens and reds. I was craving a tomato salad but my local Wegman's was running low on heirloom tomatoes that day, so I ended up buying kumatoes (package of 5 for $2.99). They were hard and green when I bought them so I let them ripen for a couple days on my kitchen counter.

These tomatoes actually smell like tomatoes, not like the pale tasteless overbred tomatoes we are so used to finding in our supermarkets. You can even smell the natural sweetness emanating from these little beauties! And they didn't let me down, they were super sweet and delicious, definitely a good substitute for heirloom tomatoes!

Kumato Tomato Salad

Ingredients
ripe kumato tomatoes, chopped
kalamata olives, pitted and sliced in half
fresh mozzarella, cubed
red onion, chopped
fresh basil, chiffonade
garlic croutons (prepared or homemade)
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic reduction (simmer inexpensive balsamic vinegar in a saucepan until it becomes thick and syrupy)

Directions
Combine first 6 ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and toss lightly. Plate and drizzle with balsamic syrup. Serve with a glass of your favorite wine!




Where to buy:
Mastronardi/Sunset Produce has recently added the European kumato to their Sunset brand, and are now distributing kumatoes across North America. Look for them in your local supermarket!

Kumato Tomato Salad