I don't want my Tomatoes to be perfect, all one colour and attached to one single stem, plucked from a 20 acre glasshouse, and unblemished. I want them to show signs of sunburn, of wind and rain, and of having led a rugged outdoor life. I want them to have battled the elements, and developed flavours that their indoor cousins could never imagine.
Preferably I want them to come from my own garden, but I'm extremely happy, and grateful, to pick them elsewhere. I would also like them to be of different varieties, and 'free'; but who wouldn't.
But mostly I want them to taste of Summer. I want them to play a major part in my Summer diet. I want to see a bowl-full on my kitchen table for as long as the plants continue to fruit. I want to eat them every day, and say 'Mmmmmm' at every mouthful.
When the Tomato was first introduced into Europe in around 1550, the Italians wisely named them Pomodoro. They knew what they were talking about!
They look so good. I won't be buying tomatoes for a while yet. Winter Tom's aren't worth eating.
ReplyDeleteWe've been eating the rubbish ones for months, so it's so good to experience the wonderful flavour of outdoor grown Tomatoes again. What a difference!
DeleteI only have access to store bought but still I should eat more of them. Your bowlful look s delicious.
ReplyDeleteTomatoes are the one vegetable where the difference between shop-bought and home-grown is so pronounced. Chalk and cheese!
DeleteOurs are struggling here so it's Co-Op or nothing now.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame. Do you have a poly-tunnel?
DeleteP has a cunning plan for next year ...
DeleteSounds encouraging.
DeleteDid you copy and paste the text for this blogpost from a recipe book by Nigella Lawson?
ReplyDeleteNo, I know you didn't. In fact I admire your passion.
She can come and play with my Toms any day!
DeleteDon't you mean your plums?
DeleteJust bought some home grown veg in Melbourne( Derbyshire) new spuds, cauli, courgettes, baby carrots, tomatoes and some eggs. All from a stall in a front garden. Prices shown.Just put money in the honesty box.No comparing these to your supermarket stuff. Tea and biscuits in the church hall.A nice morning.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the perfect Sunday Morning. I love garden stalls like that; there should be more of them.
DeleteThey look like our garden tomatoes. Every one an individual work of art
ReplyDeleteThat's how I like to see them; not all perfect and red.
DeleteAmen! You know I agree with you 100%!
ReplyDeleteOf course you do; and you have the proof!!!
DeleteThere is nothing quite as good as a fresh from the garden tomato.
ReplyDeleteTrue! They don't come better.
DeleteCro, our tiny garden has been destroyed by the triple digits. But before it got so hot (106 F yesterday), we were blessed with 4 garden fresh tomatoes... so delicious... had a 'taste'... not found in grocery tomatoes. So good!
ReplyDeleteToo much heat, or too much cold, are the enemies of growers. Normally our temperate European climate is perfect for veg and fruit growing, but that's not allowing for pests and diseases. There are problems everywhere!!!
DeleteThere is no doubt, home grown tomatoes are the ultimate best.
ReplyDeleteNo question.
DeleteOut door grown tomatoes - straight from plant to mouth - nothing else tastes as good.
ReplyDeleteIt's the most noticeable difference in veg growing. Once tasted never forgotten.
DeleteWith a hint of yeast scent, fresh bread and tomato off the vine is one of the best meals of summer.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more.
DeleteBefore 1550 food must have been pretty boring I am getting up mow to make fried tomatoes on toast for my breakfast.
ReplyDeleteI always think that's the best thing to do with shop-bought Toms. The cooking process makes them much tastier. Toms on toast.... lovely.
DeleteThe Italians named them pomodori because the fruits originally were not red but yellow.
ReplyDeleteGold!
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