Tomato Water Pops: Refreshing Heirloom Tomato Basil Ice Treats Recipe
Tomato Water Pops are a refreshing and unique frozen treat made from ripe heirloom tomatoes, olive oil, tomato paste, kosher salt, and fresh basil leaves. This recipe captures the delicate and bright essence of tomatoes in a light, icy pop perfect for a summer snack or appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (including freezing time)
- Yield: 6 to 8 popsicles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Tomato Water Pops Ingredients
- 2 large, very ripe heirloom tomatoes (about 1 pound total), coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Start by coarsely chopping the very ripe heirloom tomatoes to ensure they blend smoothly and release their fresh juice.
- Blend Ingredients: In a blender, combine the chopped tomatoes, olive oil, tomato paste, kosher salt, and basil leaves. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated, capturing all the fresh flavors.
- Strain Tomato Water: Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl to extract clear tomato water. Use a spoon to gently press the pulp to release as much liquid as possible, then discard the solids.
- Pour into Molds: Transfer the strained tomato water into popsicle molds, ensuring each mold is filled evenly.
- Freeze Popsicles: Insert popsicle sticks into the molds and place them in the freezer. Freeze for at least 4 to 6 hours, or until fully solidified.
- Serve: To serve, briefly run the popsicle molds under warm water to loosen the pops. Enjoy the delicately flavored frozen tomato water pops on a hot day.
Notes
- Use very ripe, flavorful heirloom tomatoes for the best taste and vibrant color.
- You can adjust salt to taste before freezing to balance the flavors.
- To intensify basil flavor, bruise the leaves before blending.
- If you don’t have a fine mesh sieve, use multiple layers of cheesecloth for straining.
- Frozen pops are best enjoyed within 1 week for optimal freshness.