On the island of Chios, summer never fades… Tiny sun-drenched tomatoes, full of flavor, are threaded one by one with a string, forming the characteristic restes—red rows that hang like ornaments in courtyards, storerooms, and balconies.
As you walk through the villages, you see them swaying in the breeze, adding a touch of color, memory, and tradition. A grandmother sits on her chair, with her hat in the sun, slowly and carefully threading the tomatoes. Next to her, a neighbor brings a few more “to complete the row.” Later, they will be hung in cool, airy places. There, the elements of nature “conspire” to draw out the water, enriching their taste, almost condensing it, as if each tomato preserves within it all the strength of summer.
The restes are not just a way of preservation. They are a living image of the villages, mostly in the southern part of the island, a piece of everyday life that binds the land with its people. In the narrow alleys, the red rows seem to decorate the space, bringing color and vitality even to the quietest courtyards.
When winter arrives, just a few of these delicious little tomatoes are enough to flavor bread with olive oil or a plate of pasta. Each bite carries with it the sun, the breeze, and the aura of the island. In Chios, the restes are not just strings of tomatoes. They are memory, tradition, and the taste of life. They are the most beautiful proof that you can keep summer alive… tied with a string!!!
