As Summer ripens across Australia, tomatoes burst into their peak — plump, glossy and brimming with sun-warmed sweetness. From deep crimson heirlooms to golden cherries and tangy Romas, each variety offers its own vibrant personality. Juicy, aromatic and endlessly versatile, tomatoes are the heart of the season — capturing sunshine in every bite.
Learning how to select, store and serve tomatoes ensures you savour their natural sweetness and full-bodied flavour at its freshest.
Choosing the Best Tomatoes
The best tomatoes feel heavy for their size and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Look for smooth, richly coloured skin free of blemishes or wrinkles. A ripe tomato should have a fragrant, earthy aroma — if it smells green or has no scent, it’s not quite ready.
Each variety shines in different ways: Roma tomatoes are ideal for sauces, cherry and grape tomatoes bring a burst of sweetness to salads and heirloom varieties, with their irregular shapes and marbled hues, add visual flair and complex flavour to any dish.
Storing for Freshness
Tomatoes thrive at room temperature, not in the fridge. Cold air dulls their flavour and turns the flesh mealy. Store them stem-side down on the counter, out of direct sunlight, until fully ripe. Once they reach peak ripeness, you can refrigerate them briefly to extend freshness for a few more days — just allow them to return to room temperature before serving.
Overripe tomatoes need not go to waste — they’re perfect for sauces, soups, or roasting, where their concentrated sweetness truly shines.
Preparing and Preserving
Tomatoes are the ultimate all-rounder in the kitchen. Slice them fresh with basil and olive oil for a simple salad, slow-roast to intensify their sweetness, or simmer into a rich sauce that forms the base of countless dishes.
For preservation, try making tomato passata by puréeing and straining ripe tomatoes, then bottling for year-round use. Alternatively, oven-dry halved cherry tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil and herbs for a chewy, flavour-packed snack that keeps for weeks.
Health Benefits Worth Noting
Naturally rich in lycopene — a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health — tomatoes also offer a generous dose of vitamin C, potassium and folate. They’re hydrating, low in calories and full of nutrients that promote glowing skin and overall well-being.
Light, luscious and full of sunshine, tomatoes are the taste of Australian Summer — a seasonal treasure that transforms everyday meals with their colour, sweetness and vibrancy.
Here are three recipes to put fresh and in-season tomatoes on the table this week:
Cherry tomatoes pair beautifully with seafood like calamari because their natural sweetness and acidity balance the oceanic brininess of the dish. When roasted or lightly blistered, cherry tomatoes release a tangy, juicy burst that cuts through the richness of fried or grilled seafood.
Their vibrant flavour enhances the delicate texture of calamari without overpowering it, while the subtle umami notes complement the seafood’s savoury depth. Visually, their bright red hue adds freshness and appeal to the plate.
This is a dish that celebrates simplicity and balance. The tender, rice-shaped pasta absorbs the luscious lemon butter sauce, creating a silky base for the sweet, juicy prawns. Cherry tomatoes add vibrant bursts of acidity, cutting through the richness while enhancing the seafood’s natural sweetness.
A squeeze of fresh lemon ties everything together, infusing the dish with brightness and a hint of zest. Finished with herbs or a touch of Parmesan, this combination delivers a perfect harmony of creamy, citrusy and savoury flavours—comforting yet refreshing and unmistakably Mediterranean in character.
Cherry tomatoes, chicken and pesto are a match made in heaven with the tomatoes adding a burst of freshness that balances the rich, herby sauce. Their natural acidity cuts through the creamy texture of pesto, lifting the dish with a bright, tangy note.
When combined with tender chicken, the tomatoes’ sweetness enhances the savoury depth of the meat while keeping each bite vibrant and light. Whether roasted, pan-tossed, or served fresh, cherry tomatoes provide both colour and contrast, complementing the earthy basil, garlic, and Parmesan in pesto.
