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Hillary Sterling

Sungold Tomato Salad with Castelvetrano Olives & Fennel Pollen

Ingredients
  

SALAD
  • 12 ounces 360g sungold tomatoes (30 to 35), halved
  • Kosher salt for sprinkling
  • 1 clove Garlic Confit
  • 3 tablespoons Castelvetrano olive brine
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • Grated zest and juice of 1/2 orange
  • 12 Castelvetrano olives smashed and pitted
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for serving
GARNISH
  • Pinches of fennel pollen or fennel seeds
  • Fresh basil leaves such as opal, Thai, or Genovese
  • Bronze or regular fennel fronds
  • Crusty bread for serving

Method
 

DIRECTIONS
  1. Place 10 ounces (300g) of the tomatoes in a shallow medium ceramic or glass dish. Sprinkle with salt and let them sit for 15 minutes—the salt will draw out some of their water and concentrate their sweetness. (No need to drain off any water the tomatoes release since you’ll use it to mingle with the vinaigrette.)
MAKE THE VINAIGRETTE
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 2 ounces (60g) tomatoes, the garlic, olive brine, vinegar, and orange zest. Using an immersion blender, blitz until mostly smooth—a little texture is fine. Add the olives, olive oil, and vinaigrette to the dish. Squeeze the orange half over the top, then season with a pinch more salt. Stir gently, then set aside a few minutes to let the tomatoes soak up the flavors. Transfer the tomatoes to a serving dish, leaving the vinaigrette behind in the bowl.
TO ASSEMBLE
  1. Spoon as much of the vinaigrette over the top of the salad as you like, depending on your preference for acidity. Sprinkle with fennel pollen and garnish with basil and fennel fronds. Serve any remaining vinaigrette on the side with crusty bread for tearing and swiping.

Notes

Recipe excerpted from AMMAZZA! Culinary Adventures from New York to Italy and Back Again. Copyright © 2026 by Hillary Sterling. Reprinted by permission of Scribner, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, LLC.