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Gourmet

Vodka-Spiked Cherry Tomatoes with Pepper Salt

By Maggie Ruggiero

4.0

(17)

Image may contain Plant Food Egg Confectionery and Sweets
Photo by Romulo Yanes

These tender, potent little orbs make a splendid Bloody Mary—esque addition to a beach-blanket picnic or a fancy cocktail party, and they tend to disappear in no time flat. Blanching them makes quick work of slipping off their skins.

Cooks' note:

Tomatoes can be peeled and vodka marinade prepared 1 day ahead and kept separately, chilled.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 3/4 hr

  • Yield

    Makes about 60 hors d'oeuvres

Ingredients

3 pints firm small mixed cherry and grape tomatoes
1/2 cup vodka
3 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon superfine granulated sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut a small X in bottom of each tomato. Blanch tomatoes, 5 at a time, in a saucepan of boiling water 3 seconds. Immediately transfer with a slotted spoon to an ice bath to stop cooking.

    Step 2

    Drain and peel, transferring to a large shallow dish.

    Step 3

    Stir together vodka, vinegar, sugar, and zest until sugar has dissolved, then pour over tomatoes, gently tossing to coat. Marinate, chilled, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.

    Step 4

    Stir together salt and pepper and serve with tomatoes for dipping.

TagsVodkaAlcoholBeveragesCherry TomatoTomatoVegetableGrape TomatoSnackStarterDinnerBrunchDairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreeVeganVegetarianSummerGourmet

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