apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Farmers' Market Report: Tomatoes
Los Angeles

2008_07_30-tomato1.jpgAfter months of anticipation, we are finally approaching high tomato season at the Hollywood Farmers' Market! Tomatoes are one of those fruits we learned to appreciate on a whole new level once we started shopping at the farmers' market (and growing our own). With their myriad shapes and colors and complex flavors, choosing and eating farmers' market tomatoes can invigorate the senses. Click through for more market pictures and a recipe...

 
 

2008_07_30-tomato2.jpg

2008_07_30-tomato4.jpg

2008_07_30-tomato3.jpgOne of the market's premier heirloom tomato growers is Elsers Country Farm from Yucaipa, California. This week, we selected several varieties from their stand, including the Black Krim, Paul Robenson, and Gary Ibsen's Gold. Sun-warmed and nearly bursting with ripeness, our tomatoes were carried home very carefully and stored at room temperature. We found the perfect recipe to highlight each tomato and incorporate other summer produce:

Stuffed Tomatoes with Peaches, Corn, Cucumbers, and Basil from Martha Stewart

We made a couple of adaptations, substituting white nectarines for peaches and using a combination of Kirby and lemon cucumbers. We also went light on the salt because the Black Krim tomatoes have a saltiness of their own.

This is the only time of year we regularly eat fresh tomatoes (eating foods in season makes them so much more special, not to mention flavorful), and we'll be savoring it to the fullest. Here are some other tomato recipes recently featured on The Kitchn:

Grill Tonight: Grilled Tomatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
Grilling Indoors: Cherry Tomato Skewers
Recipe: The Perfect Tomato Salad


2008_07_30-tomato5.jpg

(Images: Gregory Han and Emily Ho)

Tags

SoCal Farmers' Market Report, Farmers' Market, Summer, Local - West Coast, Ingredients - Fruit, recipe recommendation, tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes

Related Links

Share

Comments (3)

yay for farmers' markets! I was at Whole Foods yesterday in Portland and they had pints of cherry tomatoes for $6 EACH. I just turned around and walked out again...

posted by rockalita on 2008-07-30 11:01:45
view rockalita's profile

i was at a farm/farmer's mkt in nj and a pint of cherry tomatoes were $5! i had to pass them by too, sigh.

posted by 2T on 2008-07-30 14:05:49
view 2T's profile

gosh, those are all so beautiful!

posted by melanief on 2008-07-31 11:47:36
view melanief's profile