The Kitchen Finds I’m Reaching for During Peak Tomato Season

Do you need a tomato knife? If you keep your chef’s knife sharpened, then probably not. But if you’ve been resorting to using your bread knife for delicate-skinned fruit, stop it! This tomato knife is affordable and has a non-slip grip handle in lots of fun colors. Most important, the serrated edges will pierce a tomato’s skin without crushing it.

When you have a perfectly ripe heirloom tomato, you want to make sure whatever you drizzle on it complements the flavor instead of drowning it. This EVOO from Primis Imports isn’t something I splash in a pan (and I yell at my husband if he does). The flavor is smooth and fruity, and it gives a vegetal hint of basil. It’s meant to be drizzled over bread, grilled fish, or, of course, tomatoes. The only downside is that this version lacks Primis’ adorable olive mascot.

Of all the herbs (besides maybe cilantro), basil seems to be the one that wilts if you even look at it. And if you’re unable to grow it, those little plastic blister packs of fresh basil can really add up. I help keep mine fresh using the Herb Saver from this Pampered Chef set. It’s slim and fits easily in my fridge, and it is easy to take apart and clean. Of course, if you’re not into buying the whole set, OXO makes a similar standalone herb keeper.