I stopped into my favorite local produce stand after work on Wednesday, to pick up some salad makings (for once, I had used up everything from my CSA share) and a pound of fingerling potatoes for roasting (I've been experiencing something of a roasted potato yen). While I was there, I saw a cluster of woman standing around a display, cooing and exclaiming. Eventually they dissipated, and I was able to see what all the fuss was about. It was a box of tomatoes.
However, these weren't just any tomatoes. These were the very first New Jersey tomatoes of the season. I approached the box with a sense of reverence and briefly considered genuflecting, before determining that the story was a little too crowded for rapturous displays of produce-inspired passion. I reached out and picked up one. It was heavy for its size and felt good in my hand.
I took it home and as soon as was finished photographing it (I knew it was worthy of a blog post), I cut in. The interior was a deep red (none of that pale pink you find in conventional February tomatoes). I ate the first thick slice atop a piece of gently toasted pain au levain, before devoring the rest of the tomato with nothing more than a sprinkling of salt. I officially declare Jersey tomato season open!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-27-2008 @ 3:39PM
Lydia Walshin said...
The best thing about going to college in New Jersey, many years ago, was tomatoes and corn. Don't know why, but NJ produces the best of each.
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6-28-2008 @ 12:51PM
Pyrofish said...
I grew up in NJ, but I live in FL now... how I miss that produce from my childhood. When family or friends come down this time of year, we always ask for a care package of corn and tomatoes. I have some NJ limas in my freezer now. I may have to break them out...
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