Since we moved here over 3 years ago, my hubby has diligently set out tomato plants and we have managed to enjoy a few each year, not a huge harvest, but several tomatoes of our own. I got really spoiled growing up, since my dad is a major farmer and has grown tomatoes since I was a little girl. Many years of fresh home-grown tomatoes. If you have never tasted a home grown tomato, you are missing out on something special in life, I promise you. I’ve been waiting patiently this year for the tomatoes to start ripening, looking for that red to start appearing, which means something BIG around our house. Can you guess what that is?
A fresh home-grown tomato sandwich! Oh man, do I love those or what?
I’m so proud of Peter. He has hung in there with the tomatoes and this year they are looking better than ever. I think the soil had to get better conditioned, but now 3 years into our gardening, his tomato plants are huge and full of tomato clusters. Just like my daddy grows!
Not stopping at tomatoes, though…my hubby even bought some fencing and added pole beans to our front yard (insert eye rolling here). I had to laugh. I’m sure the neighbors think we are some kind of Jed Clampett neighbors, but that’s OK. When we are eating fresh beans soon, we’ll be the ones chuckling to ourselves. I do have plans for some landscaping in this area eventually (it’s in dire need of it), but in the meantime, pole beans it is. 🙂 He’s also got some squash and cantaloupes planted in the backyard.
Not to mention the blueberries I told you about in the front yard. These 6 plants are doing great and we’ll even have some ripe blueberries shortly to enjoy, as all of them have several clusters of fruit already.
The blackberries are just getting started in the back, but we hope to get these trained and maybe by next year, we’ll have some fruit like Petals from the Past features. The most amazing blackberries you’ve ever seen, which I told you about here last year.
There’s my resident farmer now, petting the next door neighbor’s dog.
So, back to the tomatoes. They are getting ripe now and we’ve eaten our first tomatoes of the year. And I’ll tell ya this, it’s SO great to go outside and pick a tomato and slice it up for dinner.
And the time came for that first tomato sandwich of the summer just this week. Loved it!! You can bet I eat a bunch of these every year. So, do ya’ll love tomato sandwiches too or is that just a Southern thing? I can just about bet that those of you raised in the South know all about them. 🙂
Had to try out my vintage plate with a ‘mater sandwich and some chips.
Ain’t nothin’ better, my friends!
Joining Jen today for Tasty Tuesday.
Hi Rhoda
are there people who haven't tasted home grown tomatoes? I really hope not and as you say one of the true pleasures in life and so easy to grow not needing too much attention just some sun.
I've had a lot of success with simple salads too especially rocket.
blueberries and blackberries, so so divine, gotta love some blackberry pie
only wishing I could stop by for a homegrown tomato sandwich – it's not quite that warm here in AUS
Sarah
Oh heavens… YUM!!!
Peter – you did good!!
What a gorgeous tomato!
xo,
Kim
I'm from the Midwest. I love tomato sandwiches. Your tomatoes look delicious. I love that you mixed vegetables and fruits into your landscaping. It's charming.
I LOVE tomato sandwiches! No one ever understands why I don't put cheese in with them but I like it better with just tomatoes! And you're right..homegrown ARE the best!
I think i'm going to go get me a tomato plant for my apartment at the Farmers Market this weekend 🙂
-Kristin
I'm right there with you!! We picked our first tomatos Sunday and made BLT's so yummy!
Gardens are work, but oh, so worth it 🙂
I've never had a tomato sandwich. I assume there's just tomatoes with preferred condiments? It sounds like it might be a bit soggy, but good!
Yes, there are people who have never had a fresh tomato. Think of all those people in the middle of a city without yards or even a deck to put a pot on. And nowhere near a farmers market or with a way to get to one.
Ann
RAW TOMATOES WITH BASIL AND ONIONS
Pasta alla checca Serves 4
This style of pasta can be found all over Italy in the summer, when tomatoes and basil are at their peak. In Rome it's called pasta alla checca. What does alla checca mean? No one has ever given me a satisfactory explanation. The sauce should be made in advance, but if you're going to hold it for more than a couple of hours, add the basil only an hour before serving. The raw salsa clings best to curly fusilli or small pasta shells.
Look for the very best, ripest, fullest-flavored tomatoes in local farmers' markets. There's just no point in making this dish unless tomatoes are at their peak. But when they're at their peak, if you're like me, you'll want to make it two or three times a week.
Some cooks sharpen the pasta sauce with a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar, added with the oil.
Also have a look at summer pasta without onions, and with optional mozzarella.
6 medium (1 1/2 lbs) ripe, red tomatoes
1 garlic clove, minced
2 medium red onions, halved and thinly slice
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb fusilli or conchiglie
6 quarts water
OVER a bowl large enough to hold all the ingredients except the pasta, cut the tomatoes into small pieces and mix them and their juices with the garlic and onions.
TEAR the basil leaves into shreds and add to the bowl.
ADD the salt, pepper, and oil and toss to mix well.
COVER the bowl with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator until ready to use.
COOK the pasta in boiling salted water.
WHILE the pasta cooks, rinse a pasta serving bowl in hot water to warm it.
REMOVE the bowl of sauce from the refrigerator and uncover it.
AS soon as the pasta is done, drain it and turn it into the warmed bowl.
IMMEDIATELY pour the cold sauce over and mix well. Serve at once. Makes 6 servings
Nutritional Data, per portion
Calories 504 Carbohydrate 71g Saturated Fat 3g
Protein 12g Sodium 65lmg Monounsaturated Fat l5g
Fat 21g Cholesterol 0
Source:
The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook
Nancy Harmon Jenkins
Broadway Books
What, you mean not everyone eats tomato sandwiches? For Shame! Lord, those pictures are making my mouth water. Unfortunately, it's a little early for ripe tomatoes in Louisville, Kentucky. My tomatoes are still small and green. I envy you!
We planted a TON of tomatoes this year and I can't wait. I just picked our first zuchinni and squash….so fun. Yea, for your hubby! He's the man!
Rhoda, you are making my mouth water. There is nothing better than a 'mater sandwich in the summer. Or a plate of sliced tomatoes. Yum!!!! I read an old post about your parent's place in Murphy. It could be a carbon copy of my folks. Small world, isn't it? My folks live in the city where I do, but have a mountain home in NC too. We spend a lot of time there in the summer. Dad grows blueberries, as well. They have a porch swing and everybody loves to sit in it. I love zipper peas, but I doubt many people know what they are. Your Dad and Mom look just precious!!! I know you have some fond memories of times spent at their mountain home, just like I do of spending time with my folks at their mountain home. Enjoy those yummy tomatoes. They are close to being ready here. Thank goodness. I also love BLT's in the summer when tomatoes are in season. Have a great day. Love & blessings from NC!
I've been reading your blog for a while, but this is my first time commenting!
Love, love, love tomato sandwiches! Just a little mayo (Blue Plate, thankyouverymuch), and some salt and pepper. If I have a little extra time, I toast the bread a little before making the sandwich to make it even more special. My husband and I have passed this passion of ours on to our kids – they always smile when they hear that I'm making tomato sandwiches!
Yes, I'm southern – grew up on the MS Gulf Coast, currently living in Louisiana. 🙂
Jowanna
We don't have any tomatoes yet, got to wait another few weeks. I have been using salad leaves and radishes from the garden though.
We have green tomatoes and can hardly wait, for ripening, sometime around the 4th of July. That's usually when we have the first tomatoes. Although, one of our kids has had ripe cherry tomatoes already. They always had their own tomato plants as children. They carry on the tradition of the cherry tomatoes and now our g'kids are getting into it. They also grow the big tomatoes.
One of my all time best memories of childhood is going to the garden getting a big ol' red tomato, grabbing the salt shaker from Granny's kitchen and sitting out under the hollyhocks,eating that wonderful tomato, still warm from the sun.
We have had tomato sandwiches. Also BLT's are heavenly with "real" tomatoes! Wow..I haven't had breakfast! This is making me hungry!
PS: J just told me he wants to go garage saling Friday!!
Your tomatoes look GREAT! We just signed up to get organic produce (all local) delivered, our first delivery is on Thursday. I wonder if there will be any tomatoes in the box.
And yes, tomato sandwiches are awesome. I love them on baguette with just mayo. Perfect.
You are so lucky to be getting ripe tomatoes. We can't plant ours until early June when the weather gets warm (they love the sun and heat). I just planted eight tomato and basil plants at the lake. We love caprese salad and we do make a sort of tomato sandwich here in the Midwest. A great breakfast is a thin layer of butter on toast with tomato slices and a few pieces of bacon. Heaven. Try it if you haven't.
Beans in the front yard? Go for it!! Peter sure seems to have a green thumb!
Happy Tuesday, Rhoda! 🙂
xoxo
Jane
Nothing better than homegrown!! 🙂 We love a tomato, cucumber, & red onion "salad". Just slice and layer the veggies, then cover in italian dressing, or a balsamic vinagrette, chill & enjoy! It's a great side dish when we grill out. We've been lucky enough to have family and friends who grow veggies and share with us, but Hubby wants to have his own garden next year!
I couldn't agree more! There's not much that tops a tomato sandwich! Can't wait to get fresh ones from my parent's house so I can start a tomato sandwich diet!! : )
Try toasting your bread if you don't already…that makes them even more divine!
I picked my first tomato yesterday. Mater sandwich here-I-come!
I am so jealous! We have a ton of tomatoes and not one ripe one yet! But soon my pet, soon…I will be eating a sink sandwich and a smile will be spread ear to ear!
Sandi
Only two things that money can't buy…and that's true love and homegrown tomatoes.
LOL
I love tomato sandwiches with mayo. Has to be Duke's. Nothing finer, that's for sure.