July 27, 2007
Homegrown 'maters: Where do you get 'em?
Got an e-mail this morning from an acquaintance, Patrick Old. He writes about the heavenly experience of eating his first tomato sandwich of the year. It makes me imagine a big, juicy slice of red tomato between two soft slices of white bread. Yummer. Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, I'll admit that tomato sandwiches-- while hailed as a Southern favorite for many-- is not my favorite way to eat homegrown tomatoes.
My fave is a big old slice of fresh tomato, still warm from the garden, with just a little salt and pepper and a scoop of cottage cheese. There's just nothing better in my book. Except MAYBE a hot biscuit topped with bacon, cheese and a slice of tomato in the morning.
Here's what Patrick had to say:
"Just wanted you to know that I have just had a near religious experience. . . I have just consumed my first tomato sandwich of the year!! (made, of course with a tomato grown in the rich soil of Craig County).
Man, let me tell you. . . I had to actually sit down and rest afterward. . . .It was SOOOO good, I kinda got weak in the knees!!!
For those who consume tomatoes year-round, (obviously, purchased in the off-seasons
at local Krogers etc.), I certainly hope you don't need me to tell you that greenhouse grown tomatoes don't even come close to the wonderful experience of enjoying those growing right outside your door.
There are plenty of places to pick up fresh, homegrown tomatoes this time of year. . .
I choose to drive to New Castle and sample a few of my brother's 'Better Boy' crop each year.
If you are interested in a beautiful drive as well as picking up a few tomatoes,
I'm sure you'll be pleased at the bounty in New Castle.
Here is his website:
www.craigcreekgardens.com.
Enjoy the goodness of homegrown veggies this summer!"
Okay, a little shameless promotion for his brother's place. But it's nice to hear about great farm stands for fresh produce if, like me, you haven't been motivated to plant your own garden this year. I liked a little stand out in Botetourt County on U.S. 220 between Gala and Clifton Forge, but it has since closed down. If anyone else wants to chime in about a quality produce stand, please do!
Comments
[July 27, 2007 3:08 PM]
HenryBlacksburg Farmers Market on Saturday or Y Thrift Store in Blacksburg on Thursday. There is a stand off 460 in Christiansburg near the drive-in that is pretty good and a store in Newport that has some good produce. I used to grow tomatoes but the deer kept wiping them out.
The tomatoes on the vine at Kroger are actually pretty passable.
[July 28, 2007 7:46 AM]
ChristyPoor Boys Produce in Radford has some of the freshest homegrown stuff coming from Cana Va daily.Also Radford has a Farmers Market every Sat from May-Oct downtown thats worth checking out.