Peak tomato harvest is right around the corner, and we couldn't be more elated. Chomping into a fresh juicy 'mater is like tasting sweet, succulent sunshine. The arrival of this beloved nightshade also denotes the dawn of our sweatiest season, summer! Our recipe developers have honored this summertime darling in all sorts of diverse and nuanced ways over the years, and this week we want to highlight five of our favorite recipes.

5. The Simple Caprese Salad - Let Your Tomatoes Shine

We love recipes that simply adorn tomatoes so that their inimitable taste is not adulterated, and Mackenzie hits the nail on the head with her Caprese salad.

Caprese Salad by Mackenzie Smith Kelley.

4. Canned Tomatoes - Your Ticket to Summer in the Depths of Winter

Though this might not seem like the most exciting recipe, there is definitely some serious magic in opening up a bottle of summer-fresh tomatoes in the thick of winter to add to bolognese sauce or pizza sauce. Megan's recipe is a sure fire way to can up the summertime.

Whole canned tomatoes. Photo by Megan Winfrey.

3. Tomato & Peach Salad with Labne & Tomato Vinaigrette - Showstopping + Mouth-watering Gorgeousness

This salad came into our lives at the JBG Tomato Party a couple years back, when Mackenzie "threw" it together because she was missing certain ingredients for another plate. If you want to impress guests with some tangy labne, peaches and tomatoes at their peak ripeness (very important), some herbs, and a drizzle of vinaigrette... do yourself a favor and make this dish! Serve with warm crusty sourdough, and you will soon be swooning, too.

Tomato & Peach Salad with Labne & Tomato Vinaigrette. Photo by Rick Cortez.

2. Tomato & Honeydew Gimlet and The Tomato Martini - 'Mater Cocktails That Are Sure to Make You Everyone's Favorite Bartender

Nadia, our favorite farm mixologist, says it best re: her Tomato & Honeydew Gimlet, "This twist on a classic gimlet is the epitome of summer - the sweet juicy honeydew is a perfect contrast to tart -- almost grassy -- green tomatoes. Gins are distilled with various botanicals such as juniper berries, so using a fresh herb like basil is the perfect complement to those earthy spices."

Equally as delicious, Megan's take on the Tomato Martini is subtle, crisp, and refreshing.

Friends enjoying Nadia's gimlet by Rick Cortez, and Megan's 'mater martini by Megan Winfrey.

1 - Brenton Johnson's Famous Fried Green Tomatoes - A Classic

Nothing says home quite like a fresh batch of fried green tomatoes for native Alabamian and head farmer, Brenton. The recipe is super simple and results never disappoint. The crispy and salty outside paired with the succulent farm-fresh green 'maters on the inside will transport you to your version of comfort any night of the week.

Brenton preparing green tomatoes. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Fried green tomatoes in the skillet. Photo by Scott David Gordon.