Heirloom Tomato, Summer Peach, and Fresh Herb Gazpacho Salad

Serves 6

by Susie Middleton
from Fast, Fresh & Green
Last Edit Date: 7/30/2010 1:50:09 PM

If you’re hitting the farmers’ markets in late summer, sooner or later you’re going to wind up with a bowl of peaches and a bowl of tomatoes next to each other on your kitchen counter. They’re in season together, and they taste great together, with the sweetness of the peach balancing the acidity of the tomato—so go ahead and turn them into a salad. (But please don’t make this salad in the off-season.) I call this easy summer dish a gazpacho salad not because it looks like one, but because you can roughly purée any leftovers in a blender, chill it, and you’ve got a delicious gazpacho.

The dressing for this salad has orange juice in it, but when I have it on hand, I like to substitute a store-bought mango smoothie drink (like Odwalla) for the orange juice.

more about:

2 lb. heirloom tomatoes (a mix of sizes—including cherries—and colors is nice)
1 lb. ripe peaches
1/2 small red onion (about 2 oz.)
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbs. orange juice or mango smoothie drink, and more if needed
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar, and more if needed
1 tsp. soy sauce, and more if needed
1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1/4 tsp. kosher salt, and more if needed
1/2 cup lightly packed whole small mint and basil leaves (or large ones torn into smaller pieces)
Edible flowers, petals separated if large, for garnish (optional)

Core the large tomatoes and stem any cherry or tiny tomatoes. Cut the larger tomatoes into large, evenly sized pieces. To do this easily, first cut the tomatoes crosswise into thick slabs, and then cut the slabs into large dice (3/4 to 1 inch wide). If the tomatoes are very irregularly shaped, just cut them into wedges and then cut the wedges in half. Cut the cherry or tiny tomatoes in half or into quarters. Put all of the tomatoes into a large shallow serving bowl.

Peel the peaches with a paring knife and slice them off the pit into wedges (whatever size you like, depending on the size of your peach). Add the peaches to the bowl. Slice the onion lengthwise as thinly as you can and add it to the bowl, too.

Whisk together the olive oil, 2 Tbs. orange juice, 1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp. soy sauce, lemon zest, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Pour the dressing over the tomatoes and peaches. Add half of the herbs, season with salt, and toss gently but thoroughly. Taste the juices and add more vinegar, soy sauce, and orange juice if you need to. (You can let the salad sit for a few more minutes and taste and season again if you like.) Before serving, toss again and sprinkle with remaining herbs and the flowers (if using).

Make Ahead Tips

If you can, try not to toss the salad until a few minutes before serving—while the flavor improves with sitting, the looks and texture do not. So if you’re putting this out on a buffet, mix it very gently (right in its serving bowl) as close to serving time as possible.

Serving Suggestions

This salad works well with simply grilled steak or chicken; try Grilled Butterflied Chicken Breasts with Cilantro-Lime Butter.

Photo: Ben Fink

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by grlup, 7/24/2012Absolutely wonderful. Nothing describes fresh summer produce more than this salad. As the intro note states, do not try this with anything other than fresh, ripe summer tomatoes and peaches. The combination of ripe tomatoes and peaches with the fresh herbs is a combination that can't be beat.

by lucyg22, 8/31/2011This is one of those dishes that just tastes like summer. It's a nice alternative to panzanella salad, which we eat often. The mint, onion and peaches are different and quite nice.

by janneann, 8/29/2010LOVE LOVE LOVED it! amazing recipe. the sweetness of the peaches and the marinade really brought out the tomatoes. delicious summer side! thanks for the recipe!

by krate, 8/11/2010This was fantastic! My guests were hesitant at first, not believing the peaches with tomato would work but they were quickly won over! yum-yum!

by ibgabby, 8/1/2010This salad really hits the spot so eat up, for a great diet food! Barbecued chicken on top of this would be delicious!