I’m almost there. My first home grown tomatoes in years and years. I used to plant them, but then the deer and rabbits and other wild creatures in the neighborhood would decide to have a feast of the stuff, tomatoes, leaves, flowers and all. So I stopped planting.
I decided to give it another try. A small garden only: tomatoes, basil and mint.
This year a cute brown rabbit did get to the basil, but so far the tomatoes are intact.
I moved the basil to the top of my grill where the rabbit couldn’t get to it, and that’s a pain in the neck when I want to grill something for dinner, which is often during the summer. But the basil does seem to be coming back, although not yet thriving.
If you ever have the chance to eat a fresh-picked tomatoes, do not pass it up. The fruit is sweet, juicy, natural.
It makes you feel better about the earth.
Fresh garden tomatoes are best plain. But if you have enough, you can cut them into a summer salad:
Tomato Salad with Spices and Herbs
3 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Cut up the tomatoes and place them in a bowl. Add the chives, basil and mint and toss ingredients to distribute them evenly. Pour in the olive oil and wine vinegar and toss ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss ingredients. Let rest for about 15 minutes before serving.
Makes 4-6 servings