Nightshade medley

There’s not another summer vegetable that delivers such a brilliant combination of savoury and sweet as the tomato. That’s probably because, officially, the tomato is a fruit.

Commercially grown tomatoes are now at peak flavour. Over the past few years there’s been a surge of interest in “heritage” tomatoes. What they all have in common are the unusual shapes and different colours and flavours.

When buying tomatoes, look for firm but ripe ones that feel heavy