Ode to the Tomato

Written on 08/14/2023

IT IS TOMATO GIRL SUMMER. All we eat, breathe, and dream about are ripe, gorgeous, juicy tomatoes.

My dad plants a summer garden every year and fills half the garden bed with beautiful tomatoes. Once they turn, you better believe I am out there with my bowl, ready to collect all their yummy goodness.

Summer 2023 daily pickings- we get a basket like this almost every day during harvest!!

Did you know that I HATED little tomatoes when I was a kid? Well, of course, you didn’t. The texture of them popping in my mouth when I bit down was a big ick for me. But now, as I have matured, so has my palate, and I love all tomatoes. Recently, we have been making a lot of Caprese salads and sandos with fresh basil from the garden, big, colorful heirloom tomatoes, and burrata. My little brother holds the title of “Caprese King,” and I am very proud of him for that. These also make the incredible sauce. My current obsession is a chunky tomato, aubergine, courgette, white wine, and garlic sauce served on homemade pasta or toasted baguette. It gives deconstructed ratatouille vibes, and I’m all about that.

The tomato is extremely diverse and used across many cuisines and cultures and can be found year-round in many shapes and forms. But where I live, in Southern California, tomatoes are their best selves July through September. So I think that is truly the only acceptable time to eat them right off the vine. Eating produce at its peak seasonality is best because it has the richest nutritional benefits, the biggest flavor, and is most sustainable.

No matter the shape, size, style, or color of the tomato, you should be eating all of them in the summer and enjoying the abundance of opportunities they provide.

  red juicy round magic

you can chop slice blend or pop 

tomatoes are cute