As tomatoes from the New World became more familiar in Europe, southern Europeans, including the Greeks, began experimenting with them in their cooking. They quickly discovered that tomatoes were not only safe to eat but also delicious and versatile. For modern Mediterranean cuisine, tomatoes proved an ideal addition, especially alongside olive oil. It was a pairing the ancient Mediterranean world, which hadn’t encountered the tomato, missed out on. (See "The Scary Tomato Comes to Europe" for more about the tomato's arrival to the Old World)
Melanie Panagiotopoulou
Stuffed Tomatoes: A Modern Greek & Mediterranean Culinary Marvel
Stuffing vegetables dates back thousands of years in Greece and the Middle East. Early Greek recipes commonly used vine leaves, zucchini, or eggplants for stuffing, often filling them with grains, herbs, and other ingredients inspired by the region’s abundant produce and wild herbs that grew in the fertile kabos'–fields – and on the golden hillsides (Our company's name is derived from the word kabos, which means "fields" or "plains"—a reference to the fertile regions of Greece where olive groves thrive in abundance.).
While the tradition of stuffed vegetables in general has ancient roots, it wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that stuffed tomatoes, or domates gemistes, began to appear in Greek kitchens. This is about the time that fabulous home cooks living in villages around Greece (and the entire Mediterranean) created dishes that blended ancient techniques with this “new” ingredient that grew so easily and abundantly in their temperate climate.
20th Century Popularization of Domates Gemistes
In the early 20th century, this delicious dish was carried into the world by waves of Hellenic immigrants to the USA and other distant lands, including Canada, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Many Greeks fled difficult conditions in Asia Minor, Pontus, and other regions of the historic Greek world during this tumultuous period. Entire villages, along with their classical ruins, became ghost towns across the landscape. Though it was a challenging time for many, it also served as the impetus for the spread of Hellenic, Byzantine, and Orthodox Christian traditions—which included cherished recipes.
Later, especially in post-World War II Modern Greece, stuffed tomatoes became a lifeline for many families. Food scarcity prompted villagers to focus on simple, readily available ingredients that grew right outside their doors. The Mediterranean diet was well-suited for this need, embracing stuffed and oil-based meals (see PJKabos.com and the article "Greek Stuffed Tomatoes: Oil-Based, Stuffed & Vegan" for more on gemista and ladera dishes). For many, domates gemistes became a meal of necessity, combining fresh tomatoes and herbs from their gardens with rice and nutritious olive oil. This provided a healthy, satisfying, and flavorful meal for family and guests—after all, Greeks never let a visitor leave their home without first offering them something—a lot of somethings normally—to eat!
Modern-Day Stuffed Tomatoes
Today, domates gemistes, with a grateful nod to South America for its essential ingredient, stands as a staple of modern Greek cuisine. This colorful, fragrant and satisfying meal, enjoyed hot or cold and paired with feta, yogurt, and fresh village bread or tiropita koulouri, continues to capture hearts in Greece and beyond. It proudly joins the ranks of internationally recognized Greek foods, showcasing the vibrant yet simple approach that defines the Mediterranean diet.
Further Reading: Articles & Recipes about Stuffed Tomatoes
- Recipe & Video: Greek Stuffed Tomatoes for Vegetarians & Vegans — This iconic Greek Mediterranean dish is showcased in a beautiful cooking reel with an accompanying recipe.
Melanie Panagiotopoulou
- Article: Greek Stuffed Tomatoes: Oil-Based, Stuffed & Vegan — A look at ladera, gemista, and vegan Greek Mediterranean meals.
- Step-by-Step Visual Recipe: Vegetarian Greek Stuffed Tomatoes
Melanie Panagiotopoulou
- Article: The "Scary" Tomato Comes to Europe — Did you know that the New World tomato plant initially terrified Europeans? It's an amazing tale!
Melanie Panagiotopoulou
We hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into the rich history of one of the most delicious and iconic foods from the Greek and Mediterranean kitchen.
Current Selection of High-Phenolic EVOOs from PJ Kabos
(January 2025)
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Phenolic Shot
(Gold Bottle)
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—"Phenolic Shot," is an award-winning extra virgin olive oil with possibly the highest phenolic content available in a true extra virgin olive oil today. Its intense bitterness and pungency clearly reflect the activity of these polyphenols. Meant to be taken as a shot or may be drizzled over salads, roasted vegetables, toast, fava, etc. to amplify both flavor and health benefits.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Robust
(Black Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Robust, is an extra virgin olive oil that is very high in polyphenols and adds depth, character and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—Medium Taste
(White Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ Kabos Family Reserve—Medium Taste
(White Tin)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil in an easy-to-store tin that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
Please enjoy having a look around our websites, pjkabos.com and oliveoil.com, as well as our Amazon Store for more about our many high-phenolic olive oils, recipes, history, etc. And follow along with us on Instagram for photos concerning olive oil production, our groves in Greece, articles about olive oil, family history and more.
PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Your Trusted Oil, Straight from Our Table to Yours.
