July · San Diego
Heirloom tomatoes
July is peak tomato season in Southern California. Any ripe tomato — heirloom or not — is at its best right now. The heat concentrates sugars across every variety. Heirlooms are worth it if you see good ones, but a ripe vine tomato from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods will do the same work.
How to choose it
- Heavy for their size
- Fragrant at the stem end
- Give slightly under gentle pressure
- Irregular shape is a good sign, not a flaw
- Avoid anything refrigerated at the store
Buy this much: 4–6 medium tomatoes for one person for the week
Vine and roma tomatoes are among the most affordable options year-round — and July is when they're actually worth buying. Heirlooms cost more but aren't required.
During the week
- Sliced thick for the tomato plate
- On tomato toast with an egg
- Charred into salsa for tacos
- Chopped into a rice bowl
On a weekend
Sliced thick beside slow-roasted salmon and burrata, with the vinaigrette spooned over.
One thing worth learning
Smell the stem end before you buy. A tomato that smells like a tomato at the store will taste like one at home.