Free Range Friday ~ Culebra

What is more luscious than a ripe tomato in the heat of summer? A real tomato, one you or someone with more than they know what to do with, has grown? I'd say, not much. A tomato you've grown, either from a seedling or a seed itself, is so much bigger than the sum of its parts, and all of that is there, the moment that first bite touches your tongue. Sun and rain, tending and watching. The moment that it starts to redden on the vine, trying your patience for the exact second that a gentle twist of your wrist lets it fall into your hand; all of that and more is in the taste. It's a beautiful thing.

Because I didn't know for sure that I'd be here all of summer, there weren't a lot of tomatoes planted, just a few seeds randomly thrown here and there. If I'm around all summer next year, I'll do more, I'll do better. I'll get some heirloom varities, specifically for hot climates. I'll...well. But the few tomatoes I've reaped are even more precious because of their scarcity. Rubies in the mouth.

When I ordered my first garden seeds close to, very close to, 40 years ago, I found Nichols Garden Nursery, still in business. The catalog was a treasure trove and I was the miner - all sorts of vegetables and tomatoes of course. I was also literally led down the garden path to try Jerusalem artichokes (neither from Jerusalem or artichokes), kohlrabi, peanuts, rhubarb, broccoli, hot peppers, sweet peppers and much more.

Garden bonus

The new to me tastes of the Jerusalem artichokes, the kohlrabi, the rhubarb, nutty, crunchy, tart mixed with the familiar but not so at all because they were grown in our garden! made for huge discoveries; not just of my own abilities in gardening, but in the whole process and then onto the cooking part. I was a beach girl, a traveler, this was a whole new world. I was told a garden wouldn't grow where we planted but indeed it did. I've been told you can't grow a garden on Culebra. A whole lot of people know that too, isn't true.

Unless you live in a cave you can most likely grow at least one tomato plant. Even here. Yes, it's late in many places to start growing tomatoes (unless you live down under, where you'd better get started!), but you can start planning for next year. Catalogs are fun! Here are a few, some you may know, some may be new. Enjoy. Oh, and by the way? sound smart. Remember, a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable!

A garden of a different sort. The painters were busy yesterday.

 Have a frolicsome Friday! Do something favorably flavorful.