Before I continue with today’s post, I just wanted to say Thanks to the Times for choosing my food blog as one of the Top 50 in the world! It came as a big surprise when I woke up yesterday morning (I always seem to be asleep during these things!). Thank you to everyone who emailed and “tweetered” me and sent words of congratulations! I feel really honored especially considering who I was placed with!
I was visiting family in Melbourne last week and have been really busy. So this is probably another mish mash of a post. I know I always seem to be obsessed with tomatoes but I can’t help it. Especially during the summer months. They’re ripe, sweet and bursting with color. Remember my brother who had the earth oven? When I stayed with him for a few days I got to peek in his very bountiful garden. Man how I envy people who can just walk into their backyards and pick fresh fruit and veg from their gardens! I sampled all his tomato varieties. We had them in a fresh sauce over pasta, in salads and even some of his home made ketchup! Delicious!
When I got back to Sydney I still had tomatoes on the brain! The next day I went shopping and I noticed a very unusual type of tomato at the supermarket. It was called a “Kumato”…it was dark, mysterious and quite sexy! I had to get them! I was curious about their taste and the best way to use them.
I googled them to find out some information and I got a few conflicting reports. One article says they originated in the Galapagos islands and were brought to Australia in 2005. Another says it was a cross breed engineered by a Belgian botanist! If anyone has any helpful info please help me out. Their skins are a little thicker than regular tomatoes and I must admit their aroma is a lot stronger too. They’re also a little sweeter. Other than that they taste just like a tomato. So, you say tomato I say kumato!…ok enough with the puns!
For some reason I had fried green tomatoes in my head. In the end that’s what I did. I fried them and enjoyed them for breakfast. I sliced them thickly, dipped them in some beaten egg followed by some wholemeal bread crumbs. I added an egg on the side and breakfast was served. Ok…that’s enough with the tomatoes for now!
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I have never used them.
I would like to try that fried one. Looks yumm.
I would have just eaten them straight up like an apple. I’m a sucker for tomatoes too. Especially super ripe baby grape ones. I always keep a bowl on my benchtop and nibble them through out the day – more so while making dinner. They’re such sweet little treats! (Minus the sugar).
Those tomatoes are very interesting looking! I too am tomato obsessed and just finished oven drying a bunch so they didn’t go bad!!!
Hola amigo! Congratulations!!!!!!! Wow, I didn’t know about it!!!!! Aren’t you levitating? If this would happen to me… I would walk without touching the floor! I’M SOOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU
. The Times has good taste ;D.
I discovered kumatos 2 or 3 summers ago. They are the best!!!! I love them freshly bought, no fridge, take a plate, clean the kumato, cut it in half, sprinkle some salt and extra virgin olive oil on top and then…. one is ready to die! Amazing strong tomatoe flavour… I love them! But they are a bit too expensive
Yum. Gorgeous photos. I’ve often been intrigued by kumatos – I can’t remember where I read about them.
Congrats too on the mention in the Times Online. Well done! #23 is undeniably awesome!
Congrats on the being one of the top 50 in the world!!! That’s awesome!
I have to say, I too am tomato obsessed, although my obsession is more recent. I babysat a friend’s kid who was obsessed w/ cherry tomatoes and we sat and ate a huge carton of them while watching the movie Cars. So now, I am obsessed.
And I’m so intrigued by these kumatos… And your dish looks like the perfect breakfast to me!!!
Those are some pretty sexy tomatoes. I love the idea of frying them up and serving them with eggs! Delicious photos.
So he has an earth oven AND fresh tomatoes. Does he has a room for rent? Congratulations again my friend. You really deserve the mention, your blog is just beautiful!
I just saw kumatos in the store today, and almost bought them, but wanted to do a little research on them first. I love tomatoes, so a strong tomato flavor is right up my alley!
First of all CONGRATULATIONS! I just read the article and that’s so great–there are some amazing blogs on there, just a handful of which I’ve been able to follow. Your site is definitely one I always look forward to reading … keep up the good work!
Those tomatoes look phenomenal. Lovely pictures and a divine dish indeed. I’ve never tried fried tomatoes but can imagine how flavorful they must be. On my list of must-cook this summer.
Congratulations Peter!
congratulations on being named in the top 50 – that is one big achievement!
You make me long for the summer months Peter. We sometimes have these tomatoes at Choices. They call them Chocolate Tomatoes, but I couldn’t find any information on these. They mention Cherokee Chocolate tomatoes which are just like a beefsteak only sweeter, but they are red.
That dark one looks like a Cherokee Purple to me. So delicious! I cant’ wait for summer in the northern hemisphere!
And congrats on making the cut, Peter. I hadn’t had a chance to send you a congratulatory email, so I’ll just say here that I always knew you were one of the best.
Wow, Peter! Those look amazing! I love trying different tomato varieties and Roberto is obsessed – I will keep my eyes out for these…beautiful photos as always!
And again, congrats on your winnings!
These fried kumatoes look incredibly good! I’ve never tasted that variety of tomato… I can’t wait to eat summer vegetables!
Cheers,
Rosa
Hey, congrats for the top blog, I have got no idea such an event. Haven’t been around for some events lately, I am so left behind, aren’t I? You deserve it, P. Now, the tomatoes are just pretty and mysterious in some ways. We haven’t grown such tomatoes before. I’m intrigued to look for them in the nurseries here. Lucky you!
Congrats! I was so excited when I read you were in the top blogs. Well deserved. Excellent job. I feel proud to know you!
Peter, again congrats on the London Times’ list that included “Soul”. I’m delighted to see friends and relations get their moments in the spotlight too!
I always am up for a fry-up but I would just eat them as is…little sea salt, oil.
the photo in the metal bowl, faaaaaaaaaaaaa fricken magnificent. dark backgrounds…im getting inspired. great shots, really.
Your recognition as one of the Top 50 blogs is well-deserved, although if it were me I’d put you in the Top 10!!! As for kumatoes, I’ve never heard of them and have never seen them, but they are gorgeous and I sure do want them now. And anyway, the end of summer is when we ALL should obsess about tomatoes.
yummy! they look so gorgeous! congrats on making the 50
the “hands” shot is very cool!
Wooww that first photo reminds me of Jaime at Home, so many varieties and gorgeous colours! Congratz on being Top 50 btw ^^!
Congrats again, Peter. Totally deserved! These pics are amazing, as usual. I am so sad to say that I’ve never had a fried green tomato! I really need one…preferably right this minute…
Bravo, Peter, well deserved!
With photographs like these, I am not amazed that you’ve made it to the Top 50. Well done! Kumato tomatoes are new on our shelves too! I am tempted to buy them now!!!
Hey – nice to see another familiar face on the Times Top 50 list! Congrats and 100% well-deserved
I don’t think I’ve seen kumatoes (but to be honest, I probabyl haven’t been looking that hard!). I LOVE the idea of frying them up crisply with eggs for brekkie – might have to treat hubby this weekend 
Are you trying to drive us crazy? Don’t you have any remorse for torturing your Greek friends with images of plump ripe tomatoes when it is middle of winter? SHAME ON YOU!
It’s blowing snow outside and those tomatoes look SO tempting! Ah, only several more months until summer. Love the picture of the kumatos – absolutely beautiful.
Phoo-D
Congratulations Peter!! I am very happy for you. All your hard work is really starting to pay off. Well done…you make us proud!!!
Huge congrats again! Love your photos here – esp the one with the kumatoes in the silver bowl. Nicely done!
That is a sexy tomato! And congratulations! Well deserved.
Congratulations on the mention in The Times Peter! I wouldn’t have been able to resist those tomatoes either – I can’t wait for summer now!
Congratulations. It’s totally well deserved! I’ve seen this tomato here in farmers markets before, it’s sold as an “heirloom” variety. I’d be curious to hear where it comes from if you figure it out.
Mmm. Kumatoes.
I’ve definitely heard of them, but have never run across one in “real life”… they look fantastic.
Congrats on the well deserved kudos.
wow, congrats peter!! very well deserved!! and great recipe & photos (as usual, goes without saying now…)
Wow Peter! Congratulations!! That must feel absolutely awesome to be in the top 50 of the worlds best blogs…. I’m impressed, but then… you have rightfully been put there, so it shouldn’t really be a surprise!
Never heard or seen any kumatoes… I will have a look around here to see if they exist in Holland!
Θεσσαλονίκη, 22 Μαρτίου 2009
Γειά σας,
Μπαίνω πρώτη φορά στο site σας και μου άρεσε πολύ. Πολύ καλές οι φωτογραφίες σας, οι συνταγές σας και γενικά η όλη οργάνωση. Συγχαρητήρια από την Θεσσαλονίκη στην ομογένεια, στην μακρινή και απομονωμένη για εμάς Αυστραλία.