Tomato Time

"I don't get paid a cent for flavor," said the large-scale commercial tomato farmer, according to a story I heard yesterday on NPR.

That's why people who love tomatoes love them fresh and local, why people who don't grow anything else will grow a tomato in a pot on the patio. Heck, that's why we're having a Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival in Columbia next Sunday, July 17.

A local, vine-ripened entry in a contest where flavor counts

I learned how mass market tomatoes are grown and "ripened"  (which actually means "reddened") while working on a show for the Food Network. But if you don't know, you'll find that NPR story enlightening (or maybe the more accurate word is "discouraging"). You might even want to read the new book Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit.

Some of the 40+ local entries in the Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival contest

But rather than be discouraged, why not come to the Tasty Tomato Fest on Sunday and celebrate a good thing while it lasts? Last year's festival was the first, and it was lots of fun. I took my niece, who got a kick out of the commercial tomato toss. Winners of the best-locally-grown-tomato contest will be announced. The judging for that was on Saturday after the All-Local Farmers' Market and the entries looked beautiful--and included all sorts of heirloom varieties.

Motor Supply chef Tim Peters, Terra chef Mike Davis and
All-Local Farmers' Market founder and farmer Emile DeFelice
judging entries yesterday

The Tasty Tomato festival is held at City Roots Farm near Owens Field Airport, 6-9pm, with live music, activities for kids, food and local beer--and a free screening of one of my favorite movies--Attack of the Killer Tomatoes-- at 9p.m.  Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.  Find all the details here.

If you're in a tomato-y mood, you might also enjoy this article from the New York Times archives by Harold McGee on cooking with tomato leaves. And I'd love to hear about it if you're growing any tomatoes yourself!