Fresh herb tomato relish

Mar 19, 2026

There are days at Gobelo when full meals are planned well in advance and then there are days when they just come together from what is ready for harvest in the garden. Many times it’s the few ripe tomatoes and a handful of herbs that end up becoming something on the table that goes with almost anything.

This tomato relish is one of those simple recipes that don’t need much preparation. It uses ingredients we almost always have on hand like tomatoes that have ripened sooner than expected, herbs that need to be picked right now before they lose their flavour, and a few kitchen basics that we all have at home. It is quick to prepare and easy to adjust depending on what you have.

Here’s what you’ll need:

4 to 6 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed

A small handful of fresh oregano
A small handful of fresh basil or thyme

2 tablespoons oil
A splash of vinegar or lemon juice
Salt to taste

Method:

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it softens. Stir in the garlic and let it cook briefly, just enough to release its flavour.

Add the chopped tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Let them cook down slowly, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes will release their juices and begin to break down.

Once the mixture starts to thicken slightly, add a small splash of vinegar or lemon juice. This helps balance the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.

Chop the fresh herbs and stir them in right at the end. This keeps their flavour super fresh. Taste and adjust the salt if needed.

Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before serving.

The sauce just works with almost anything. It can be served alongside grilled meat, spooned over roasted vegetables, or added to a plate of plain rice or sadza (a staple dish made from ground maize or millet with a firm, dough-like texture). It also works well as a spread with bread. At the Gobelo farm, it usually just depends on what else is ready that day. Sometimes the relish is part of a bigger meal, other times it’s the main thing on the plate.

And there you have it! Add more garlic to yours if it needs it, change the herbs, cook it down more or keep it a bit fresh. There’s no “right” way of making this delicious sauce. Then share the recipe with someone.

Until next time,
    the Gobelo team