Italian Tomatoes

Name: Italian Tomatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 cups Roma tomatoes; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1 tablespoon basil; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; to taste salt; to taste black pepper

Let diced Roma tomatoes stand until their own juices mingle with the olive oil and herbs. The glossy, fragrant spoonfuls deserve bread to catch every drop.

By Betty Lou Gardner40 minUpdated 2026-08-25

These Italian Tomatoes are a simple marinated side dish that highlights the flavor of ripe tomatoes with olive oil, herbs, and garlic! After a short rest, the tomatoes become juicy, fragrant, and full of bright Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Serve them alongside grilled meats, spooned over toasted bread, or as an easy addition to a summer meal.

Betty Lou Gardner in a family archival photograph

Granny’s Kitchen Notes

From Betty Lou Gardner

This is one of those recipes I make when the tomatoes are good because it lets them do most of the work. I usually stir everything together and leave it alone for a little while before supper so the herbs have time to settle in. There is almost always a piece of bread nearby because nobody wants to leave those seasoned tomato juices sitting in the bottom of the bowl.

How to Make Italian Tomatoes

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Fresh Roma tomatoes cut into a medium dice in a vintage mixing bowl.

Prepare the Tomatoes

Wash and dry the Roma tomatoes, remove the cores, and cut them into a medium dice. Place them in a serving bowl with the juices that cling to them, leaving behind only any large pool of thin liquid.

Diced Roma tomatoes topped with olive oil, dried oregano, fresh chopped basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper before tossing.

Season the Tomatoes

Add the olive oil, dried oregano, fresh basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently until the tomatoes are evenly coated.

Italian tomatoes glistening with olive oil and herbs after resting in a vintage bowl.

Let the Flavors Blend

Rest the tomatoes at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes, stirring once, until they are glossy, juicy, and fragrant.

Serve Chilled or Cool

Stir, taste, and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Serve at cool room temperature or lightly chilled over bread, pasta, grilled meats, or as a simple side dish.

Betty Lou Gardner

Betty Lou Gardner’s family recipes are preserved in Granny’s Recipe Box.

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