An RD’s Favorite Gazpacho Recipe

I’ll be honest, the main reason I garden is for the tomatoes. While my ultimate goal is to preserve as many as I can to use throughout the winter, my current life demands as a busy mom of three does not allow me the time to get this done. In the meantime, when August and September roll around (as the U.S. Department of Agriculture notes) I find myself with a lot of beautiful, ripe tomatoes that are ready to be eaten all at the same time.

In addition to the fact that I find tomatoes to be absolutely delicious, my dietitian brain also lights up with excitement over all the powerful nutrients and incredible health benefits that my family and I get from tomatoes! For example, eating more tomatoes has been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disease while simultaneously improving the microbiome, skin, fertility, and immunity, notes a review published in Biology in February 2022. Tomatoes are a rich source of the antioxidant lycopene, which a review published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity in November 2021 notes has positive effects on atherosclerosis by improving lipid levels, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing inflammation.

I could happily eat tomatoes every day, but apparently there are only so many tomato salads that my family is willing to eat in a given week. As a result, I’m always in search of a creative way to use up (and enjoy) this delightful abundance.

I distinctly remember the first time I tasted gazpacho. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the concept of cold soup and, therefore, had never sought it out on my own. But I was at a catered dinner party and it was the course being served. I wasn’t about to be rude, so I politely took a small sip of what can only be described as the taste of summer in a cup. I instantly loved the delightfully bright and mildly spicy flavor of gazpacho. It took me by surprise how delicious it was and I immediately started researching recipes when I got home. Imagine my delight when I found out how easy it is to make, too! And the best part of all: no cooking! This is, quite literally, the perfect summer appetizer: nutritious, refreshing, and an excellent way to use up all my extra tomatoes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!