Savor the Fruits of Summer with Melons and Tomatoes

The celebrates its five-year anniversary on August 7, but you can celebrate every week this summer with delicious in-season offerings like heirloom tomatoes and melons. 

Vendors have graced the market with their cheery displays of unusual melons and colorful tomatoes to delight neighborhood customers.

Cantaloupes and honeydews may be available by the bushel at the grocery store, but when you get a look at the unique varieties at the Farmers’ Market, you’ll never go back to the store.

Weiser Farms has a selection of fresh melons to tempt you. Try the Arava – a honeydew-type melon that originates in Israel. It has green flesh and a yellow rind that will add color to any breakfast table.  If you’re looking for a cantaloupe, try the French Orange melon instead.  It has a more intense flavor than a traditional cantaloupe and you can pretend that you are vacationing in Provence while you eat it.

Some beautiful Asian melons can be found at Ha’s Apple Farm stand, where the vendor is featuring Gold and Gaya Melons. Gaya melons were originally grown in Japan, but are now grown in Mexico and South America. They have a white rind with white flesh and are sweet and refreshing in fruit salads. 

If you tend to shy away from adventurous fruits, fear not. Right across the aisle sits a table full of delicious watermelons from Gama Farms for $5 each. You can also grab a mix of traditional and yellow-fleshed watermelons from J.R. Organics. Just cut up cubes of both varieties into a bowl and you have a party pleaser that any kid will devour. J.R. Organics booth also has cantaloupe starting at $1.50.

In addition to melons, many Mar Vista Farmers’ Market vendors are featuring another summer staple - tomatoes. Capay Organic has gorgeous Striped Roman tomatoes along with colorful pints of cherry tomatoes available in orange and red. 

J. R. Organics has a colorful batch of organic heirloom tomatoes including the ever-popular Purple Cherokee and Brandywine varieties.  Both Fresno Evergreen Farms and Gloria’s Fruits and Vegetables farm stands have a dazzling assortment of cherry tomatoes. Scoop them up by the handful, or pick a pint of Black Cherry or Red Grape cherry tomatoes for a quick snack or lunchbox treat. No cooking necessary. 

Summer Harvest Farms has certified organic heirloom Pineapple tomatoes, a yellow beefsteak with green-tinged shoulders. Grab these gems for $4.50 a pound. Don’t worry, they still taste like tomatoes but are aptly named for their colorful yellow interior. These tomatoes are perfect sliced in an open-faced caprese sandwich with fresh burrata cheese, some basil and a little olive oil drizzled on top (all of which can be purchased at the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market).  

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about delicious summer tomatoes and melons is that they can be prepared without slaving over a hot stove.  But if you have the urge for a hot meal, try this recipe for broiled tomatoes.  It’s a quick and easy side dish in under 15 minutes.  You’ll be back at the market next week for more, and luckily those tomatoes and melons will still be there through summer.

Christy Wilhelmi is well known to many local Mar Vistans as The Gardenerd. Her website and blog at  www.gardenerd.com offers  information on classes, consulting and food-garden design.

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