Shakespeare's unthinkable tomato salad

Katia Kiss
29 de set. de 2016
2 min de leitura

This is Enjoy the Traffic’s third post for our food-and-art blog project. It is also the second post inspired by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the English poet and playwright regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist.

Shakespeare's unthinkable tomato salad - by Enjoy the Traffic

Many of Shakespeare’s plays were published in editions of different quality and accuracy during his lifetime. In 1623, two of Shakespeare’s friends and fellow actors - John Heminges and Henry Condell - published a definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare dramatic works.

The First Folio, printed in 1623

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Shakespeare’s works have been adapted by new movements in scholarship and performance. His plays remain highly popular, and are constantly studied, performed, and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world.

Procession of Characters from Shakespeare's Plays by an unknown 19th-century artist

When I think about Shakespeare… I think summer! It may be because most of the times I saw his plays performed were during summer in public parks. When I think summer food, I think tomatoes! During summer, tomatoes are one of the sweetest staples in the kitchen. It is interesting that Shakespeare and tomatoes remind me of summer, because chances are… Shakespeare never ate tomatoes. Tomatoes were not recorded in England until 1597, and at that point were regarded as poisonous, not suitable for eating. Perhaps this is why, even if Shakespeare had been aware of tomatoes he did not refer to them in his plays, in contrast to the references to other fruit, herbs, tree and flowers.

Shakespeare's unthinkable tomato salad - by Enjoy the Traffic

So in honor of Shakespeare and all the sweet tomatoes he missed in his lifetime, we created this delicious tomato salad recipe! Shakespeare, we understand you never ate a tomato in your life, but if you had we are sure you would have loved it and added this delightful fruit to one of your plays. To summer time, to sweet tomatoes and the brilliance of William Shakespeare… Enjoy!

Shakespeare's unthinkable tomato salad - by Enjoy the Traffic

Shakespeare's unthinkable tomato salad

Ingredientes:

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup pistachios

1 large or 2 small ripe tomatoes, sliced

1/2 pound fresh figs, cut into quarters

1 ounce crumbled blue cheese

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl whisk together oil, vinegar and salt.

2. In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast pistachios, shaking the pan occasionally, about 2 minutes.

3. Spread tomato slices on a large plate. Scatter fig quarters and pistachios over tomatoes. Sprinkle with blue cheese and thyme, drizzle with dressing and finish with pepper. Enjoy!