Pesto-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Last night, dinner was taking longer than planned, so I needed a quick appetizer that I could quickly put together to fend-off starvation.  I had some cherry tomatoes on hand, as well as some frozen vegan pesto, so I decided to combine the two.

Tomato Pesto Bites - Prep I originally thought of slicing the tomatoes in two and placing the pesto on top, but then decided to use the tomatoes as little cups.

First, I had to get the little guys to stand still. They were rolling all over the place, and that would be a disaster once filled with delicious pesto! I used a sharp pairing knife to remove a small piece of flesh from the bottom of each of the tomatoes, to flatten them out and make them sit upright. I then cut the top and hollowed-out the first half of each tomato. This takes a little while, but if you have a pointy sharp knife, it should be fairly easy.

From there, I defrosted 1 cube of pesto in the microwave for 30 seconds, and mashed it up with an equal part of firm tofu. I decided to mix the tofu in there, because I felt that the pesto would be too pungent on its own.

Pesto-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

1 cube of frozen pesto (with tofu) made about 10 cherry tomatoes worth of appetizers. I placed them on a long plate, and drizzled them lightly with basil-infused olive oil. The result was a cheerful appetizer that burst with the flavors of fresh tomatoes and fresh (frozen) pesto. Yum! I think next time, I may decorate each tomato with a lightly toasted pine-nut…

I called my mom up today to tell her about these, and she said that she used to fill cherry tomatoes with guacamole for dinner parties years ago. Although I don’t specifically remember her doing that, I guess I must have remembered this little trick subconsciously. I like the idea of using avocado as a filling, especially for the summer. I ended-up doing a bit of research after our call and came across this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens for avocado pesto-stuffed tomatoes, which combines both our ideas. I’ll definitely have to try that next time!

Anyway, I thought this was a cute little appetizer, and as you can see, the concept is pretty versatile so you can have fun and be creative with it. Enjoy!

10 thoughts on “Pesto-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes”

  1. This was lovely, I to am a vegan and look up to you, you are my idol. I never realised that tomatoes could be so damn interesting! The picture looks like spinach, which I hate, but actually its pesto, which i LOVE! Thanks again, I look forward to the guacamole, even though it is disgusting. 😀

    Reply
    • Hi Vegbethany! Thanks for taking the time to write. You’re so sweet! Yes, tomatoes are super interesting & versatile. I have a lot of posts coming over the Easter long weekend… stay tuned! 🙂

      Reply
      • Hey, long time no see! After a lapse in my veganism (KFC was calling), and am proud to say that I’m back on the vegan wagon! Just getting in touch as I can’t wait to hear what you have in stall for christmas. I find Xmas the hardest time of the year, what with all the yummy sausages in blankets, turkey, and stuffing. I wondered what fandabbydousy recipes you have come up with, as they are all so scrummy! I’m hoping that Santa will bring us all wonderful vegan recipes, as I have no imagination to come up with my own. I wish that quorn didn’t taste like Berlesconis rubbery testicles. Thanks again, your brilliant recipes have helped me so much!

        Reply
        • Ha ha you’re funny! Sorry for dropping off the past month, as I wrote in my latest post, I had to focus on my upcoming trip instead… I hope you managed to find some good vegan holiday recipes. My tofu pot pie is one of my Dave holiday meals. Good luck on going vegan again – you can do it!!

          Reply
          • We have to stop MEATing like this!! I tried your Tofu Pot Pie, it actually led to a foodgasm….maaahhh! I can not thank you enough for your generosity and your inspirational recipe ideas. It has really helped me to shape the person that I am today (obese). Your fantasic recipes have made my IBS difficult to manage, but it is bloody worth the mess!!! Unfortunatly my vegan ways must come to a pityful end. Due to my severe IBS, vegan food causes a rumble in ma belleh. I can still occasionally enjoy your recipes, but for now, I bid farewell to VegBethany, and hello to MeatyBethany. And a cheaper laundry bill!

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