Tomates Farcies (French Stuffed Tomatoes)
Local name: Tomates farcies
In short: Ripe tomatoes baked with a savory stuffing of pork, garlic, parsley and breadcrumbs until soft, sweet and lightly caramelized. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 480 kcal
Tomates farcies are a home-cooking classic across France, especially in late summer when tomatoes are ripe and cheap. Ripe tomatoes are hollowed out and filled with a mixture of pork, garlic, parsley and breadcrumbs, then baked until soft and lightly caramelized, with a rich juice in the dish. The scooped tomato pulp goes back into the baking dish to make the sauce. Serve with rice, pasta or crusty bread.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Slice the top off each tomato and keep the tops as lids. Scoop out the seeds and pulp, chop the pulp and keep the juice. Sprinkle the insides with 1/2 tsp salt and turn the tomatoes upside down on paper towels for 10 minutes.
- Warm 1 tbsp of the oil in a small pan and cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Let it cool slightly.
- In a bowl, mix the pork, onion, garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg, thyme, 1 tsp salt and the pepper until just combined.
- Stand the tomatoes in a baking dish that holds them snugly. Fill each with the stuffing, mounding it slightly, and set the lids on top.
- Spread the chopped pulp, juice and wine around the tomatoes, and drizzle with the remaining 2 tbsp of oil.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, basting once or twice, until the stuffing reaches 71°C (160°F) and the tomatoes are soft and lightly browned.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then serve with the juices from the dish spooned over rice or bread.
Tips
- Choose round tomatoes with thick walls that stand upright, such as beefsteak. Slice a thin piece off the base if they wobble.
- For a vegetarian version, fill the tomatoes with cooked rice, grated cheese, mushrooms and herbs, or stuff peppers and zucchini the same way.
Questions and answers
Can I make tomates farcies ahead of time?
Yes. Fill the tomatoes up to a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge, then bake. Leftovers reheat well and taste even better the next day.
Can I use other vegetables for the stuffing?
Yes. The same stuffing works in bell peppers, zucchini, onions and small eggplants, which are often baked together with the tomatoes. Cooking times vary a little by vegetable.
What do you serve with tomates farcies?
Rice is the classic partner and soaks up the tomato juices. Pasta, potatoes or crusty bread also work.
How long does it take to make Tomates Farcies (French Stuffed Tomatoes)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tomates Farcies (French Stuffed Tomatoes)?
About 480 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 31 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 480 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
