My love affair with this glorious "fruit" started in childhood. I fondly remember those August and September mornings when I would stop by the tomatoes in the garden and grab a couple to eat on the way to the barn to do the milking. Of course, I would wipe them on my t-shirt before eating. Oh, what a way to start the day. It goes from there to the Kosciusko County, Indiana fair (first full week of August). I exhibited pigs every year that I was eligible, winning the prize of champion in showmanship (the art of exhibiting a pig before a judge). During those years in the 50's the Silver Lake Lions Club stand was (to me) the best place to eat during fair week. The fact that our parents were intimately involved in running the stand might have had something to do with it. Although the pies were delicious (mom made them for many years), my staple meal that week was the Hamburger Steak Dinner. That was a large pattie of "real" beef, hand cut french fries, slaw, I think, and one or 2 slices of great home grown tomatoes. I tried other meals, but couldn't top that.
With various attempts, in the meantime, I jump to our years on East Main Street where we had a long, narrow half acre lot providing space for a large garden. Because we had a large empty lot next door, many huge Burr Oak trees, and a railroad track along the back, we were pretty much over-run with squirrels and rabbits. Therefore, the things we could hope to harvest from the garden were limited. Basically it was tomatoes and squash. At one time, I had 78 tomato plants of different varieties and would fill our wheelbarrow with ripe tomatoes to sit in the front yard for anyone to take. We couldn't come close to using them all, but I just loved growing and harvesting them. One year, we made catsup in the kitchen. Although I think it was the best catsup I'd ever eaten, the mess was such that it was a one time occasion. During those Augusts and Septembers I think I ate fresh tomatoes in some form for every meal.It was during these years, however that my disdain for tomatoes found in grocery stores and "chain" eating establisments grew. I couldn't understand why even when I had gorgeous ripe tomatoes at home, if we went out to eat, we got those tasteless things called tomatoes. Yes there were times when I actually brought tomatoes from home to put on my salad so there could be some taste.
We move on to our move to a relatively new housing addition with a "lake" bordering the back of our property. After conquering the crabgrass in the lawn, my attention turned to having a "golf course" appearance since this was the first place in a while where grass could be grown in the lawn in a patch larger than maybe 20 by 20 feet. The gardening urge couldn't be held back and we started adding flower patches in our yard, being careful not to block the view of the "lake". I couldn't bring myself to growing vegetables here, I think because here we had no "back yard with the street in front and lake in back. For some reason, I had the idea that vegetables were grown in the "back yard". We did grow some tomatoes in pots on the deck. They were good, but still didn't live up to my memory. This year, I had enlarged the areas for some of the flower beds with the idea of spreading out several of the perennials that had become crowded. With my knee issue this summer, I never felt like digging up and moving plants. When at Prairie Gardens this spring, the planet aligned in my mind and I picked up about 15 tomato starts. This week the "early girl" tomatoes began to ripen. Yesterday I had my first toasted tomato/peanut butter sandwich (an acquired taste). Wow! Now I remember. Yes, yes, yes!!! Today Georgia asked what I wanted for lunch. Yup, had another one. still one of the best taste sensations I know. Hopefully I have chosen the varieties to supply tomatoes til frost. Although we have been to the "Whistlestop Cafe" in Juliette, Georgia for Fried Green Tomatoes, I'm not that much into that delicacy (it's good, but not "that good".) So I will be in gustatory bliss for the next couple of months.
Here is a little aside. If you live on this planet you are familiar with the BLT. This is typically a sandwich made with bread, slathered with mayo, lots of lettuce, some bacon, and make believe tomatoes. About a month ago, I had stopped by "Butches" produce where he typically offers good, garden style produce. I picked up a couple of tomatoes which were somewhere between those offered in the grocery and the "real" tomatoes described above. I had found some "platter bacon" in the freezer (wish I could remember where I got it.) I thought, "oh, how about a BLT".. Problem; no L. Being a bit prideful about my industriousness, I decided to substitute a slice of onion for the lettuce; a BOT sandwich. Actually I think I liked it better than the BLT. Oh, I need to take another small rabbit trail. A few years ago, Arbys came out with their "Market Fresh" sandwiches, including a BLT. One of the things Georgia and I have slowly removed from our diet is mayo. Not that we don't like it, but even "low fat" mayo is essentially fat. We have decided we could live without it, therefore often split one of these sandwiches without mayo. So in my BOT,, with the added flavor and bite of the onion, the mayo was really unnecessary. So the next day, near lunch time, I found a portion of an avocado in the fridge. Yup, then was born, the BAT. Different, but to me very tasty. So my analytical mind started to hone in on the reputation and essence of the BLT. First, I think we all think of the BLT as a tasty treat. Where does the taste come from. Bacon, of course, is the essence of taste. A BLT without bacon is truly missing something. Ripe tomatoes of course bring taste (But only if they are those described above.) Sadly, most BLT's are made with those artificial tomatoes, thus there is no tomato taste. Lettuce???? what is the purpose of the lettuce? If you offer someone a handful of bacon, most meat-eating people will grab for it unless they are in the throws of a food guilt trip or some other form of "dieting". I know there are those who don't like tomatoes, but I must maintain that these people have never had a real tomato. I will simply say that the "real" tomato brings it's own flavor without the guilt of the bacon. Oh, the lettuce. I maintain that if you are offered a handful of lettuce without bacon, tomato or mayo ( or something else with flavor), you will only eat the lettuce to make a point, or possibly for the vitamins and minerals. There is essentially no taste. The purpose of the lettuce is to dissuage the guilt feelings over the bacon (and mayo). In essence, the lettuce serves no real purpose in a BLT, so I encourage you to experiment. Try an equally healthy BOT (more healthy without the unnecessary mayo). Try a BAT. Here you pick up a little fat to replace the mayo. This is all I've tried, but I'm expecting you can get some great flavor from a BRT (Radish), BPT (sub a bell or possibly hot form of pepper), and what about a BET (bacon, egg, tomato). There really is no limit. In fact if you want to really indulge in flavor without care for the fat, simply slather a mess of mayo onto hot freshly toasted bread and add some candied bacon and vine ripened tomato. Oh, I'm slobbering already!..You will not miss the lettuce. I know that this will work because although introduced by one of the chain eating establishments (maybe Outback?) the grocery stores carry a tangy tomato bacon salad dressing. That can make even a bowl of lettuce tasty. Hopefully I've helped you understand that most Americans have never tasted a "real" tomato, but because we think it should be tasty, will order it, or pick it up in a grocery when we know we are going to be disappointed. If you can find a space in the sun, do yourself a favor and grow some tomatoes. I also encourage you to experiment with versions of the revered BLT. Enjoy!
Here's a June 2012 update:
Yesterday I arrived at the B&B a little early, so rode my bike around the lot for a few minutes. I saw a water hose out back leading across the lot so I followed it. There I found this great little patch of tomato plants. My mind started racing to adding a slice of vine ripened tomato to my "usual" B&B breakfast. This morning I made that announcement to Deb (April was on yesterday morning). Deb said, "and with gravy?"... Hmmmm, never tried that. so with my "usual", came a slice of fresh tomato with sausage gravy. That was very tasty and I can just imagine what it will be like with a vine ripened one. Of course, the gravy part (being another of my favorite "country food" staples) would not help my battle of the bulge, but I will have to try it once in a while as a "treat".... To me it would be like ice cream to others.
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