
Maybe this is just an L.A. thing, but here it is November and we’ve still got cherry tomatoes hanging around. I see them at the market and I spy them through the backyard fences of my neighbors. Their gardens may be spent and drab but there always seems to be a cherry or grape tomato vine flourishing along a warm, sunny wall even as our nights get chilly. The same goes for the farmers market. Most of the showy summer tomatoes have been devoured, but diminutive cherries still beckon in an array of colors. I’m bringing a panful of these survivors to their bursting point by scorching them with garlic, herbs, and enough good olive oil to make an unctuous sauce. The combination pairs perfectly with a simple plate of fresh fettuccine. It’s what the Italians would call Pomodori Scoppiati, exploded tomatoes.

Pomodori Scoppiati
Tomatoes. Of all the seasonal produce we look forward to each year none inspires the same cultish devotion as summer tomatoes. It seems like just yesterday I was pushing my way to the front of the stalls at the Hollywood Farmers Market to get my giddy hands on the first of the good summer tomatoes. Inevitably I’d bring home more than we could eat, but still, I enjoyed having the multi-shaped, multi-colored beauties litter the windowsill. Then, as summer rolled along I began to tire of feeding the fruit flies $4 tomatoes. About this time I also began to notice that the tables at my favorite vendor’s booths seemed to sway under the weight of so many boxes of ripe fruit that they began to smell almost boozy in their overripe abundance. So I turned my attention to other delights forgetting how fleeting summer tomatoes can be. Now its November and I miss the August and September tomato’s dizzying profusion. Fortunately, there’s still a dwindling selection of grape and cherry-sized tomatoes available and I’m determined not to make the same mistake twice. Which means I consider this the height of Pomodori Scoppiati (exploded cherry tomato) season.
Pomodori Scoppiati. This isn’t necessarily a recipe – it’s more of an idea. Start with a heavy skillet, some oil, and garlic. Add the cherry tomatoes and watch them burst – releasing the juice which mixes with the olive oil to create a rich, silky sauce. This preparation is from Puglia where Pomodori Scoppiati is usually served as a condimento (relish-like side dish) alongside meat or fish or as a building block for other dishes. However, I like Pomodori Scoppiati tossed with pasta. Spaghetti is traditional, but I prefer to twirl thick ribbons of silky fresh fettuccine around my fork – catching the sauce in a most satisfying mouthful. GREG

It’s great with zucchini noodles. In a slight variation, I roast the tomatoes & garlic cloves in the oven w olive oil & balsamic vinegar, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes & sea salt. Can be done ahead of time & then warmed & mixed in w the pasta.
I used to be able to get OK cherry tomatoes throughout the year, but the last year or two their flavor has really declined. Still better flavor than any other tomato, though, so I still buy them. They’re perfect in this dish — which is a really good one. Thanks.
Absolutely beautiful. Just love the description: giddy hands! Will definitely give this a go using Zucchini noodles, you’ve just given me lunch today!
Greg, I love the look and sound of this! I’ll make my homemade fettuccine for this one! Pinned.
I am buying the sweetest tomatoes from a farm called Dirty Girl. Your Pasta dish is perfect for them.
Same with our market — just the cherries and a few heirlooms left. And we did the oven version of your Pomodori Scoppiati — so fresh and flavorful! Bravo!
As far as I’m concerned, it’s not Pomodori Scoppiati season until Starbucks puts its Pomodori Scoppiati Spice latte back on the menu!
The other day while walking the dogs, I spotted a random, small tomato vine growing out of a lawn next to the sidewalk! The vine itself was brown and mostly dead, but there were bright red cherry tomatoes hanging from it. I would have grabbed them for a pasta like this had I not suspected the vine was probably not so random to the people living int he house on the other side of the sidewalk. 😉 And I’m with Cathy, this is indeed a sexy shot!
I love this recipe. Use it all the time. Added garlic shrimp. Had leftovers (no shrimp) refried last night.
Mama Mia! I love these exploding tomatoes! I had a ton of these this year and I also had an invasion of fruit flies. Finally the cold weather has chased them away but it also destroyed the rest of my tomats!
I always buy cherry tomatoes, because they never disappoint. Love this simple pasta.
That is one sexy pasta shot. I never thought I would ever say that. LOL. Looks absolutely delicious.