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5 things you might not know about Piccolo cherry tomatoes®
Wonderfully versatile and succulently sweet, these special cherry tomatoes are small in size but mighty in flavour
Whether you add them to a creamy homemade pasta sauce or a crispy summer salad, or even enjoy them as a snack straight off the vine, just as nature intended, Piccolo cherry tomatoes® boast a mellow juiciness that will take almost any recipe or snack to the next level.
Not only are these perfectly crunchy yet smooth red jewels packed full of tangy flavour, but they also contain a variety of nutrients, including polyphenols and vitamin C, and they’re an incredible all-rounder of an ingredient. So, from whipping up a show-stopper for a special meal or party to making something quick and easy for a casual picnic or weekday dinner, there’ll always be an occasion to add the fresh taste of Piccolo cherry tomatoes to your dishes.
Did you know?
There’s more to these bite-sized wonders than meets the eye. Here are a few fascinating facts about Piccolo cherry tomatoes that are sure to leave you hungry for more.
Piccolo cherry tomatoes are made up of 94% water and just 2% carbohydrates. This makes them naturally low in calories and high in hydration.
Ripe Piccolos have a lovely umami-rich flavour that pairs particularly well with other umami-rich foods, such as seafood, meats and aged cheeses.
Vine tomatoes continue ripening even after they’ve been picked, and this process – along with the taste and nutrient content – can be affected when they’re stored at temperatures lower than 12°C. So, with this in mind, Piccolo cherry tomatoes are best stored at room temperature.
Take care not to leave Piccolos out near your oven hob or under a sunny window – the strong heat may damage their delicate skin. They’re best kept on a shaded kitchen countertop or table, ideally in a shallow dish so air can flow around them.
Piccolos are a special fruit variety with a rich, unique taste, grown by passionate British and European producers. The result? Top quality tomatoes with a refined flavour in each bite.
Piccolo & prawn tagliatelle
If you can’t wait to try Piccolo cherry tomatoes for yourself, this zesty pasta dish is a quick and easy recipe to get started with.
SERVES 4 PREP 15 mins COOK 10 mins EASY
Ingredients
• 300g Piccolo cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• 300g asparagus spears, trimmed and chopped
• 360g raw peeled king prawns
• 8 garlic cloves, sliced
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve
• 350g tagliatelle
• 1 lemon, zested, ½ juiced
• ½ red onion, finely chopped
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• small handful fresh mint, chopped
Method
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6, then line two baking trays with baking parchment. Add the Piccolo cherry tomatoes cut-side up, the asparagus and prawns, then scatter the garlic. Drizzle with the olive oil, then cook for 10 mins, or until the prawns are cooked through
Meanwhile, cook the tagliatelle in a large pan of boiling, salted water for about 10 mins (or according to packet instructions), then drain well.
Sprinkle the lemon zest and drizzle the lemon juice over the cooked Piccolos, asparagus, garlic and prawns, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve on top of the tagliatelle, then garnish with the red onion, chilli and mint, and a little extra drizzle of oil.
Ready to embrace the full flavour of Piccolo tomatoes?
Look for the Piccolo name at your local supermarket or greengrocer or click below to find out more
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