This recipe for slow-roasted tomatoes with feta, olives, and pinenuts is a delightful and flavorful dish that brings together the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean. The combination of sweet roasted tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, briny olives, and crunchy pinenuts creates a harmonious blend of tastes and textures. Slow-roasting the tomatoes allows them to intensify in flavor and develop a rich, caramelized sweetness. This dish is perfect as a side dish, appetizer, or even a light main course. Serve it warm or at room temperature for a burst of Mediterranean flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cherry or grape tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
- 1/4 cup pinenuts, toasted
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C).
- Cut the cherry or grape tomatoes in half and place them in a single layer, cut side up, on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
- Roast the tomatoes in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
- Remove the tomatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Transfer the roasted tomatoes to a serving platter.
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese, halved Kalamata olives, toasted pinenuts, and thinly sliced fresh basil over the tomatoes.
- Serve the slow-roasted tomatoes with feta, olives, and pinenuts warm or at room temperature.
Interesting Facts
Slow-roasting tomatoes enhances their natural sweetness and intensifies their flavor.
Feta cheese is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and adds a tangy and salty taste to the dish.
Kalamata olives are sourced from the town of Kalamata in Greece and are known for their rich, fruity flavor.
Toasting pinenuts brings out their nuttiness and adds a delightful crunch to the dish.
Basil is an aromatic herb that complements the other flavors in this dish.