A fresh heirloom tomato salad with juicy sweet peaches, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs. This healthy, simple salad is the very representation of savoring the final weeks of summer using only seasonal local produce.
Summer is officially winding down and I am over here just holding on tightly to it. I want more produce, more peaches, more corn, more tomatoes! I want more basil, more pesto, more berries!
Every August I start to feel a tingle of remorse that I didn't eat enough seasonal produce, or have enough summer fun and then a beautiful fall day hits and I forget all about it 🙂
No matter, we are still here in August and it is your duty, your call to make this crazy delicious peach and tomato salad.
Do Peaches and Tomatoes Taste Good Together?
Yes! Oh my good gracious yes! Tomato is a fruit, don't forget, and plays beautifully with other fruit. Tomato and watermelon, delicious. Tomato and berries, delicious. Tomato and peaches, my personal favorite.
Could I Add Cheese to This Tomato and Peach Salad?
Oh my goodness yes! I specifically chose not to add cheese because I think the avocado handles the creamy texture. However, if you are a cheese lover and can't stand the idea of a salad without cheese:
#1 – We are now best friends
#2 – Cheese it up! You can add feta, goat, blue, mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, or grilled haloumi!
Nutrition Nerd Alert!
How to unlock the nutrition power inside a tomato!
- Tomatoes contain a potent antioxidant called lycopene. The consumption of lycopene containing foods has been shown to benefit heart health, prostate health, and skin health and may affect cardiovascular and cancer disease prevention.
- An interesting clinical study looked at the effect of lycopene and UV-induced sunburn. After a 12 week study participants that contained lycopene rich tomato paste had a 48% decrease in sunburn compared to the control group. I like to call tomatoes are internal sunscreen!
- In order to absorb the most bioavailable form of lycopene tomatoes ideally need to be cooked, if not cooked you want to make sure you have a generous amount of good fat (hello olive oil!) to help your body absorb more lycopene
Tips to Make the Best Tomato Salad
- Don't be afraid of salt. I love using a wide flaked sea salt with tomato salad, so you get a little crunch of salt and acidic tomato in each bite! Maldon is my favorite flaked sea salt
- Use a good amount of olive oil. See above for the nutrition nerd tip!
- Pair tomato with something creamy, something peppery, and something sweet. Think of a classic caprese salad, tomato, basil (peppery), mozzarella (creamy), balsamic (sweet).
- Use different colored and shaped tomatoes. Each shape and color of tomato has a different flavor, pairing them all together creates a flavor sensation 🙂
- Add fresh herbs. Basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, dill, thyme … I honestly cannot think of an herb that doesn't love a tomato. Play with different herb combinations.
More Healthy Salad Recipes You Will Love
Escarole Citrus Salad with a Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
Farmers Market Lentil Salad with Fresh Cherries
I know you will LOVE this salad! If you make be sure to tag me on Instagram #abraskitchen so I can see your creation!
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Avocado and Fresh Peaches
Ingredients
- 1 lb. heirloom tomatoes
- 2-3 peaches
- 1 avocado
- 10 leaves fresh basil
- 10 leaves fresh mint
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
- 1/2 tsp flakey sea salt
Instructions
- Slice tomatoes, avocado, and peaches, and arrange on a platter.
- Roll leaves of basil and mint together like a tight cigar and slice into ribbons. Scatter the ribbons on top of the fruit.
- Drizzle salad with olive oil, flakey sea salt (maldon is my favorite), and balsamic glaze. I used a white balsamic glaze.
