Making the most of the last backyard tomatoes of the year


The end of summer is finally in sight here in the Mid-Atlantic USA - cooler days (even if just slightly cooler so far) are signaling the eventual return of fall. We're having a bumper crop of tomatoes in my backyard, so I'm relishing the opportunity to enjoy some final tomato-based dishes with the literal freshest produce you can find. That said, if you're not able to garden at home, this is also a great time to find tomatoes in farmers' markets - in fact, I just picked up one of the most beautiful bundles of heirloom tomatoes I've ever seen at Coverdale Farm on a weekend drive through Delaware. (And, if you live in the southern hemisphere... well, in that case, set a reminder to re-read this email in six months!) Here are some of the top tomato dishes I'll be preparing in the coming days and weeks... fortunately, Mediterranean and especially Turkish cuisine offer a lot of great tomato-centric options! Be sure to drop me a line or tag @unicornsinthekitchen if you make any of these at home!

Gavurdagi - Turkish Tomato Salad

If you're a fan of Shirazi salad or chopped salads in general, you'll love this hearty Turkish classic.

Cherry Tomato Pasta

If you've got cherry tomatoes growing up your back wall like me, this is the perfect way to use them!

Easy Oven Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

This recipe is so simple, I almost didn't post it - but I'm glad it's been helpful to home cooks looking to enhance the flavor of their tomatoes!

Menemen: Turkish Scrambled Eggs and Tomatoes

In Turkey, tomatoes accompany every meal, and breakfast is no exception. I personally love the blend of tomatoes and eggs, though it's one Turkish recipe that my American husband hasn't been as eager to embrace...

Turkish Ezme

Some might call this classic mezze a "Turkish salsa" - but the flavors have a much more Mediterranean feel than you'll get from this recipe's Mexican cousin.

Keep on cooking,

Unicorns in the Kitchen

Craving something beyond the usual weeknight rotation? Get free, easy, wholesome recipes from Persian, Turkish, and Mediterranean kitchens that feed your belly and soul! I'm Shadi, a cookbook author who grew up in Iran and lived in Turkey, and for over 10 years I've been making these bold, cozy dishes approachable for home cooks, with ingredients you can find at your regular grocery store. Join my list for free recipes delivered to your inbox, kitchen tips, and fan favorites from my collection of 1000+ recipes, plus first dibs on exclusive recipes and events.

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