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Tree Nuts and Tomatoes: 9 Delicious Ways to Pair Them

Tomato season may be drawing to a close, but tomatoes are still available in an abundance of shapes, sizes and varieties. These versatile ingredients pair beautifully with tree nuts in salads, pasta, soups, curries and more.

Like tree nuts, tomatoes are a nutritional powerhouse – whether enjoyed raw, cooked or frozen – tomatoes provide rich nutrients and antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamins A and C, potassium and folate. It makes sense that a combination of the two will benefit your heart, skin, vision and bones.

Like tree nuts, tomatoes have so many applications and flavor profiles that work with many dishes. Here are 9 delicious tomato and nut recipes and meal ideas to help you make the most of the end of the harvest and add a healthy dose of tree nuts to your diet!

Tomato Salad with Almond Dressing

A simple mixed tomato salad studded with basil is divine scattered with a dressing made by toasting almonds and tossing with olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Pasta with Tomatoes and Brazil Nuts

Toss hot pasta with chopped seasoned tomatoes, mint, parmesan and finely chopped roasted Brazil nuts for a simple mid-week meal. You can also blitz (blend) the tomatoes with herbs, parmesan and the Brazil nuts to make a creamier version to stir through the pasta.  Great with any kind of pasta.

Cashew and Tomato Curry

Kaju Masala, is a rich, creamy North Indian dish. You can Google it to find traditional recipes, but a simple version is to sauté a cup of cashews in ghee until golden, set aside, then add a bay leaf, cloves, star anise and cinnamon to the pan, cook 2 minutes. Add 1½ cups chopped tomatoes and ½ cup water to the pan and cook until tomatoes are soft. Grind half the cashews and add to tomatoes with a pinch of chili and garam masala. Serve with naan or basmati rice, scattered with cilantro and remaining cashews.

Warm Tomato, Corn, Zucchini and Feta Salad with Hazelnuts

Let your imagination run wild with this delightful flavor combination. Here is a template to get you started – sauté corn and diced zucchini until tender and remove from heat. Toss in halved cherry tomatoes, basil, mint and roasted chopped hazelnuts, drizzle with olive oil and lemon and serve crumbled with feta cheese.

Tomato and Macadamia Soup

The creamy richness of macadamias turns a simple tomato soup into a luxurious occasion. Simply sauté macadamias with onions and garlic before adding chopped tomatoes, stock and a sprig of thyme. Cook for 10 minutes, remove thyme and puree until smooth. Reheat and top with chopped basil or enjoy a double nut bonus and drizzle with pesto.

Farro and Tomato Salad with Pecan Crumble

The grain bowl craze shows no sign of slowing down and adding tomatoes works like a tangy dressing, as the juices coat the grains. The crunch and earthiness of pecans add a wonderful contrast. Try with any grains and add any chopped vegetables and fresh herbs.

Tomato, Goat Cheese and Pine Nut Frittata

Here is our recipe for a frittata combining tomatoes and pine nuts or make into a quiche simply by lining the baking tin with a sheet of puff pastry. 

Tomato and Pistachio Pizza

Blend pistachio nuts with just enough olive oil and parmesan to make a thick paste and spread over the base of the pizza.  Top with mozzarella cheese, basil and sliced tomatoes then bake until golden. Simple yet delicious!

Walnut Caprese Bruschetta

Walnuts have a buttery sweetness that make them ideal for pairing with tomatoes, like this walnut toast. Or simply scatter sautéed tomatoes with roasted walnuts as a side dish.

From creamy tomato soup with macadamias to fresh salads topped with almonds or hazelnuts, there are countless ways to combine tomatoes and tree nuts. Experiment with your favorite varieties, and explore our Nut Facts and recipe collections for even more inspiration.