Marshalls Abroad

Insalata Life Summer Tomatoes

Farm to Table: Simple and Delicious Tomato Walnut Salad

The vineyard that Cam and I constantly dream about having one day will also be {we hope!} a small, self-sustaining farm. We really hope to grow and produce as much of our food as we can, in addition to all the wine. (; We grow some tomatoes, herbs, strawberries, lettuce and green peppers out on our patio, but the majority of our daily produce comes from our amazingly generous and loveable farmer neighbors. It is a total joy and rare gift nowadays when you can know exactly where your food comes from!

When we found out we were moving to Okinawa, I never imagined that we would get to live next to such lovely organic farmers who have become dear friends, be gifted with treasures of all kinds of produce on a regular basis, and be told with giddiness each morning that me and baby are getting big. Ha. Truly though, they are such a blessing to us! The tomatoes in these photos came from them, and I didn’t up the vibrancy or saturation in any of these. They are the most gorgeous color all on their own!

Simple, fresh ingredients. The best kind. 

This salad is
absolutely delicious and takes all of about two minutes to toss
together. Cam and I like to make it on the weekends accompanied with
cheeses, and crusty bread to dip in the remaining olive oil. It’s a
beautiful and easy appetizer, side dish or snack. I’ve had tomatoes just
about every day of my pregnancy, and this is my favorite way to eat
them lately.

Simple and Delicious Tomato Walnut Salad
{serves about 2}

large and cherry tomatoes, about 8-10 total
1 C kalamata olives
1/2 C raw walnuts
1 handful of fresh basil leaves
EVOO for drizzling
1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for taste
2 cloves of garlic, minced

Roughly cut the tomatoes and place on a serving dish. They don’t need to be cut uniformly or perfectly — it’s better with different sizes! Add the olives, garlic and raw walnuts, and roughly break apart the fresh basil, leaving some leaves whole. Sprinkle on the sea salt, and feel free to add more if it needs it once you’ve finished tossing the salad and tasted it. It’s meant to bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients. Drizzle on a generous amount of EVOO {again, no need to measure!} and toss together. Enjoy with bread and a glass of vino.


Comments

  1. The enchanted home says

    Wow these pictures are incredible…I feel like I could reach in and take a bite!! Love tomato salad and make it all the time….but never with walnuts. Interesting addition which I must try!

  2. Kristin Saling says

    Your pictures – and recipes – are absolutely gorgeous, and what a beautiful dream to own a vineyard and farm! I grew up in California wine country, surrounded by vineyards, so that image really speaks to my heart. Have a lovely day!

  5. Ragan says

    If you were to offer a photography class, I would totally sign up and take it. Seriously, your pictures just draw me in every time. This looks delicious – and I don't even like tomatoes!

  6. Tim and Lanna Britt says

    mmmmm crusty bread 🙂
    and you guys had better plan for a LARGE vineyard because you are going to really have to make up your wine drinking after baby M makes his appearance!!
    love lanneybear

  10. Courtney says

    Just started following your blog recently. My husband just received orders to Kadena, and I am sooo excited to get there. All the pictures you post have helped build the anticipation even more.

    I absolutely love that you live by farms! What part of the island do you live on? We are really hoping to live off base, but I guess we won't find out until we get there what they'll allow us to do.

    Congrats on your baby, by the way. We just had our first a few weeks ago, and being a mom is absolutely amazing.

  12. lauren jean allece says

    Seriously, if ya'll are ever in Oregon you must come visit Portland! Farm to table isn't just a "fad" here – it's a way of life! I love going to my favorite restaurant out by the winery and now only knowing the owners and chef, but seeing the farmers bringing in the fresh goodies one day and seeing them on the menu the next! Plus I know some vineyard owners you guys will need to talk to 🙂

    Beautiful salad, this will definitely be on the menu next time we do dinner here!

  17. chiara says

    Lovely| I made it today, but substituted almonds for walnuts and Gaeta olives for the kalamatas. It is delicious, and husband loved it too!

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