i haven’t been posting much lately, not because i haven’t been cooking – i’ve been cooking like crazy. and not because i’m not taking pictures – i finally figured out how to use my other lens and these summer hours lend me many more hours of favorable light. and not because i don’t have recipes – i’ve written and shot several recipes that i’ve just been too lazy to post.
it’s easy to get caught up between my three jobs and grad school, but if there is one thing that can get me excited enough to post, it’s heirloom tomatoes.
the mere sight of these juicy beauties made me literally jump for joy when they finally appeared a little late in the season, after a long winter. the farmers i work for grow a wide variety of heirlooms which become the focus of the whole stand, overshadowing any summer squash, broccoli, eggplant, peppers or corn – also currently at their peaks.
i have customers do double takes at the colors as they walk by. some admit they are making the purchase just to bring it home to show someone, others pile bags full – enamored by the selection and unphased by the $3.50/lb price tag.
and besides questions about the names and subtle differences in flavors, i find myself most often answering, “what is an heirloom?”
rustic heirloom tomato salad
these tomatoes don’t need much to taste good. sometimes i just eat them plain. but if you are new to heirlooms and need a simple idea for how to enjoy them, try this simple salad. it features an easy honey dressing which cuts the sharp taste of some of the more acidic tomatoes, and subtly compliments the sweeter ones perfectly. it’s lightly tossed with fresh heirloom tomatoes, basil, parsley and onion in a perfect summer concoction.
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