Tomato time…

It is that time of year.  Actually, it is about 10 days early for that time of year.  Our heirloom tomatoes are ripe and in abundance, ten days earlier than normal, and we will have a gorgeous selection at the Town & Country Farmers’ Market this Wednesday.  There have been some questions about the heirlooms in the past, so let me take a moment to clear up a few misconceptions.  First, heirloom tomatoes can be used for any tomato recipes or dishes you are wanting to make, but they are so full of flavor that you don’t need to dress them up to show them off.  They speak for themselves quite nicely.  Secondly, yes, they can be a little funny looking.  They come in different shapes and sizes, but they are born to look that way.  The best ones have big cracks and funny shapes and large shoulders.  Trust me, those are the ones that are filled with flavor.  Third, they come in all sorts of colors, not just red, so be adventurous.  My favorites are the little orange Sun Golds that taste like they were already dipped in olive oil and lightly seasoned.  I can eat them by the basket full this time of year. My new favorite is the Arkansas Marvel, you will want to try that one for yourself.  Marsha cut one up and brought it into the office for us to try, there was but a slice of it left by the time Bob and Sean came in.  Fourth, there are green ones, but this does not mean that they are unripened.  We have three different varieties of dark green tomatoes coming to the market this week, and they fully ripened and ready to eat.  And finally, they have funny names, names like Arkansas Marvel, Golden Nugget, Early Girl, Granny Cantrell, German Pink, Prudens Purple, Cherokee Purple, Mr. Stripey, and Brandywine.  They are so lovely and unique, it would be disappointing if they didn’t have interesting names too.  So, go a little wild and think outside the Roma.  Heirlooms tomatoes are only here for a little while, and it doesn’t get better than this…

And they go so well with that other delight of the season that we have in abundance…

See you at Town & Country!