Cherry tomatoes have been a favorite of mine since being a kid. I can just pop ’em in mouth like potato chips. When I just graduated I voluntarily decided to stuff cherry tomatoes with some fresh mozzarella and basil to make these cute little tomato bites. Hollowing out the tomatoes took soooo long. This is the adult version of those tomatoes by hollowing out the bigger Campari tomatoes and stuffing them with the delicious Southern delicacy known as Pimento cheese. These bites are tender and literally oozing with cheese. A perfect snack or appetizer to let your friends experience.

Scooping out the tomatoes is the most time consuming part, and that only takes about five minutes. Use a small metal spoon to scoop out the insides of the tomato so it can pierce through the skin and scoop out the flesh. I turn my tomato over into a bowl, so it drains out as much moisture and to save for a future recipe like a tomato sauce or pasta dish. The guts freeze great too!

The tomato works as a great vessel because it’s sturdy and looks so pretty. It’s a juicy vegetable shell that requires no extra heavy lifting than scooping the centers. The opportunities are endless, in fact, I am definitely doing this again with fresh mozzarella and basil to redeem my childhood invention.

Store these in the refrigerator after they have been stuffed to let the cheese firm up. The tomato walls will continue to produce moisture so expect a burst of tomato juice when you take your first bite. The cheese filling is what makes these bites special, but the tomato gives it that juiciness.

You can fill these with your favorite cream cheese spread or even a soft cheese, like mozzarella. They store beautifully, prep beautifully and are enjoyed beautifully. Hope to see these on your next charcuterie board!