Mr. Stripey Tomatoes Stuffed with Loaded Tuna Salad

We have a local farmer who is legendary for his Mr. Stripey tomatoes. The Mr. Stripey is an heirloom tomato with a mix of red and yellow colors, more yellow on the stem end, redder toward the bottom, and striped along the sides. The fully ripe Mr. Stripey is surprisingly sweet, tender, juicy, mild, and flavorful. We are not the only ones in town who eagerly await the appearance of Harold's tomatoes around mid-August each year.

The thing Pritchard Parker always wants to eat with the first Mr. Stripey, is a simple tomato sandwich--white bread, mayonnaise, tomato slices, salt and pepper. I like them with cottage cheese, salt and pepper, and a sprinkling of celery seed.

Here, I have stuffed Mr. Stripey tomatoes with tuna salad, which I really loaded with ingredients. I'm always happy when I hear my husband say, after taking his first bite, "Mmmmmm, this is good!"

Loaded Tuna Salad
12 oz. canned tuna
2 stalks celery, sliced
1/2 small red onion, diced
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1/4 cup pickled jalapeno peppers, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
2 Tbsp. pimiento
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
6 oz. extra sharp Vermont white cheddar, diced
Juice of half a lime
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
3 Tbsp. mayo
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste