I absolutely love heirloom tomatoes. The multitude of shapes, sizes, and colors are simply gorgeous and offer such sweet varying flavors, they are just too fun to eat. My favorite way to enjoy everything these fruits have to offer is in a fresh salad, chopped up, drizzled with balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with the herb of your choice. For a warmer alternative, roast these bad boys with a little olive oil in the oven set at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes (or just until the skin begins to wrinkle slightly). It makes a deliciously colorful topping to any protein, as a side dish, or even scattered across a freshly made pizza crust.
However you like to enjoy heirloom tomatoes, enjoy them quickly as their season tends to be quite short. Depending on the region, they can be seen anywhere from from May through September, but you'll see them make their debut at farmers markets mid to end of July usually lasting no more than 4-6 weeks. Aptly named, the seeds from varying varieties of tomatoes are replanted each year, creating new tomatoes from those old seeds. From year to year the process continues, providing us with a colorful new batch of tomatoes to enjoy. Perhaps we can learn from this yearly, summertime rebirth; instead of waiting for the end of the year to wipe the slate clean.
In the meantime, lets enjoy this delightful mid summer fruit with a little bit of a twist! Take a look at my video tutorial for a fresh Heirloom Tomato Salad with Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar... yes you read correctly, Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar! It is amazing and can be found through one of my most favorite stores' website back east, Carter & Cavero. Make sure you take a stop at the Oceanside Farmer's Market every Thursday morning for the next few weeks between 9:30-1:00pm to pick up the freshest bunch of Heirloom Tomatoes!
Have fun with it and keep cooking!!
