Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes!

Yesterday I had the perfect lunch that included tomatoes from our garden. I don’t have a green thumb and never did, but somehow these “Early Girl” tomatoes are bringing forth fruit (I’m sure it was the Miracle Grow!).

Every morning, I peak through the green leaves and yellow blossoms to scout out a fleck of red, and then pick it (actually, I twist it off the vine).

This morning, Mark beat me to the tomato patch and said, “Where did all the tomatoes go?”

Oops!

I pointed to ONE itsy, bitsy, teeny, weenie “grape” of a tomato and said, “Here’s one, honey!”

It was pitiful; the worm had taken the first "bite"!

“Sorrrrrry,” I said. “Maybe tomorrow, you’ll get lucky!”

So what do I do with all these tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes?

Let me share with you my version of “bruschetta” (pronounced: brus-que-tah!). In Italy, we brush the bread with a fresh garlic clove and toast the bread, then we place diced tomatoes on top, and generously drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and add a pinch of sea salt to taste. "Perfetto!"

But Concetta Pombo’s American version is a little different: Take one plain bagel and toast it. Place a slice of Provolone cheese on top, and then add freshly sliced tomatoes, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Oh, I almost forgot...add some fresh basil (that's the real secret!). Did I tell you I started an herb garden too?

Pop the bagel in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and ENJOY. Buon Appetito!

I’ll share more about my tomatoes later, but let’s just say I tried fried green tomatoes and I enjoyed the “movie” version a lot better!





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2 comments:

Sharon Lynne said...

Your tomato bush looks beautiful! Mine looks shriveled and skinny. We've had a lot of heat. However there are 2 green tomatoes on it.

Connie Pombo said...

My dad grows tomatoes on his one acre "farmette" and has great success, but he really works at it. This year he tried a new variety called "21" which many of the restaurants order...less seeds and more "meat."

I'm just thankful to see something "red" in between all the green. Except I have to break my habit of picking them before they're ripe. I'm like a little girl when it comes to waiting!

HUGS!