Just Yum! Cherry Tomato BLT Appetizer

It is raining cherry tomatoes here! The tomato plants are brimming with juicy and spectacular globes of goodness. If you live in a northern state then you know it is a tomato explosion this time of year and we have one opportunity per year to grow fresh produce. This was a very good tomato season and who knew in spring that all the plants would prosper (who doesn’t plant a few extra tomato plants… just in case!) and so it is raining tomatoes here. A perfect time to make the Cherry Tomato BLT not only for the family, but an easy party snack.

What To Do With Cherry Tomatoes?

There is nothing like a freshly harvested tomato and as we northerners enjoy the crop we are all also bringing in Fall which leads to winter which leads to remembering how tasteless and forlorn the tomatoes are in winter. The Cherry Tomato BLT is easy to make and chances are you will have every ingredient already in your kitchen or your herb garden. What I love about this recipe is the flexibility of ingredients; when the garden is blooming use the herbs and tomatoes, but the recipe is not compromised if you use dried herbs.

INGREDIENTS Cherry Tomato BLT

Makes 28 Cherry Tomato BLT

28 cherry tomatoes

8 crispy bacon strips

3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup chopped green onions

2 tbsp. diced celery

2 tbsp. minced parsley

Filling

Combine all ingredients (except tomatoes) and refrigerate.  The filling can also be prepped the night before and gives the ingredients a nice chance to meld.

DIRECTIONS

The Cherry Tomato BLT recipe is an assembly line recipe and it does take a bit of prep, but as with anything else practice does make perfect and by the fifth tomato you will be rolling right along!

1. Cut the tops of the cherry tomatoes.
2. Remove the inside of the cherry tomato and set aside. Keep the tops of the tomato too and set aside.
3. Prepare a plate with paper towel.
4. Turn each tomato upside down to drain (overnight is great, but not required.)
5. Prepare your filling and refrigerate a minimum of two hours.

 

TIP: Prep your tomatoes the night prior to filling. This allows the water from the tomatoes to fully drain; it is not necessary, but does make the filling of the tomato easier. Save the inside of the tomatoes and dice the tops to use for tomato sauce, tacos or a salad.

Fill each tomato. A properly sized tool to the size of tomato makes the filling easier; I use a 1/4 teaspoon or 1/8 teaspoon and of course my trusty disposable gloves to help shape the tomato once filled.

If desired sprinkle a few of the bacon crumbs on the top as garnish.

How To Serve And Display

Are your filled tomatoes looking a bit tipsy? Mother Nature does not always make all tomatoes equal! No worries if your tomatoes are not uniform. If you place the tomatoes side by side on a platter that will help any sliders, but I found the best way to display and serve the Cherry Tomato BLT is arranged on a deviled egg platter. Loving the Dollar Store I found deviled egg platters perfect for this recipe and will be using my depression era glass deviled egg plate from Grandma for more formal events. Thanks Grandma!

Arrange your tomatoes as if arranging deviled eggs; one tomato per egg slot. Then use your creativity and garden for the middle – I used fresh herbs and flowers from the garden along with more blt’s.

Tomato Recipe Ideas

My other favorite cherry tomato recipe is an easy party snack anytime of the year. Cherry tomatoes are always available and economical to feed a party, potluck of school event. Simply add fresh mozzarella and a sprig of fresh basil to make a mozzarella tomato basil appetizer or as I call it – Salad On A Stick. Yummy and a crowd pleaser every time.

Vegetable Recipes To Enjoy

Squash Apple Bake

Authentic Tiella Recipe