Walking through a Provence market in the summer months will appeal to your senses. From the aroma of lavender to the selection of artisanal cheese, and the olive oil selection of the vibrant tomatoes. In Provence, tomatoes are a way of life, celebrated for their fragrance, colours, and fantastic flavours.
Why Provence Produces Exceptional Tomatoes
The secret to Provence’s exceptional tomatoes is the ideal Mediterranean climate. The region enjoys more than three hundred days of sunshine each year, along with the mistral wind, keeping the air dry, while reducing the risk of crop disease.
Growers rely on the rich soils that naturally concentrate the sugars in the tomatoes. The combination of heat, light, and traditional farming methods produces tomatoes that are sweet, juicy, and filled with a pleasant savoury flavour.
Popular Tomato Rarities to Look For in Provençal Markets
As you wander the stalls of a Provençal market, you don’t want to buy standard red tomatoes, you want to look for prized heirloom and local varieties, such as:
- Cœur de Bœuf (Beefsteak) – a large and heavily ribbed tomato with a meaty texture and few seeks. It offers a sweet, mild flavour, making it the top choice for summer salads
- Marmande – a classic, fat, and ribbed tomato that offers a rich tomato flavour with the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, offering versatility
- Noire de Crimée (Black Crimea) – a striking heirloom tomato that is a deep dark red, famous for it’s complex flavour with a hint of smokiness, saltiness, and sweetness
- Green Zebra – a small to medium tomato that is bright green with dark yellow stripes once ripened. This tomato offers a tangy and tart flavour with a firm texture
- Tomates Cerises (Cherry Tomatoes) – an exceptionally sweet and juicy tomato sold in vibrant clusters on the vine, perfect for roasting and snacking
Sold in vibrant clusters still on the vine, Provençal cherry tomatoes are like nature’s candy. They are exceptionally sweet and burst with juice, making them perfect for quick snacking or roasting.
The Best Time to Buy Tomatoes in Provence
You will see tomatoes in Provençal markets throughout the year, but the prime time to buy them in Provence is from late June through to September. August is the best harvest, as the sun has already worked it’s magic and the market stalls are brimming with ripened and delicious heirloom varieties to choose from.
How Locals Use Tomatoes in Provençal Cuisine
Provençal cooking honours the tomato, allowing the natural flavours to shine. Local dishes don’t overcomplicate things, making use of the natural flavours of each ingredients. Tomatoes are used extensively in Provençal cuisine, including:
- Salade Tomate-Mozzarella – thick slices of coeur de boeul drizzles with local olive oil, fresh basil, and sea salt
- Les Tomates Farcies – large tomatoes stuffed with seasoned ground meat, garlic, and herbs, lovingly baked until tender
- Ratatouille – an iconic Provençal dish where tomatoes breakdown, forming a rich and savoury base for the bell papers, egg plant, and courgettes.
- Pain au Tomate – ripe tomato is grated directly onto grilled crusty bread and then rubbed with garlic and drizzled in olive oil
Tips for Choosing Ripe Tomatoes at Provence Markets
In order to shop at the Provence Markets like a local, you need to use your senses, rather than only your eyes. To choose ripe tomatoes in Provençal markets, we recommend:
- Smell – smell the stem of the tomato, if it has a fragrant and earthy aroma at the vine attachment it is a perfectly ripe tomato
- Feel – gently squeeze the tomato. It should feel heavy for its size and give away slightly under pressure. If it is mushy or feels hollow, do not select it
- Look – do not choose a tomato where the skin is broken or there are cracks near the stem, as this is a sign of high sugar content
Conclusion
There is a simple joy when slicing into a perfectly ripe tomato that you purchased directly from the local farmer at a Provence market. It is a true culinary experience that defines the south of France. If you are planning a trip to Provence soon, contact Cooking Classes in Provence, and let us immerse you in Provençal cooking, from visiting a local market to a hands-on cooking experience where you can experience
Let Cooking Classes in Provence help you choose the best tomato varieties you will find in Provence markets today.
