Tomatoes!
Rose here, market manager for IFM, stepping in for Pascale today. It seems the older I get the more important my special memory traditions become.
In the heat of summer as tomatoes ripen on the vine and abundantly tumble across farmers market tables, childhood memories of salted sliced tomatoes on fresh baked Rhodes bread with Miracle Whip come to mind. My adult-adapted version is even better with sea-salted slices atop an artisan sourdough slathered with mayo. Mama would buy tomatoes by the flat from Mrs. Perkins’ local farm and another favorite was her simple version of stewing them. Years later, I was pleasantly surprised when a senior employee who managed my lunchroom salad bar used that same recipe with over-ripe fruit and canned commodities.
Roughly chop 3 or 4 ripe tomatoes and stew them in their juices and a generous amount of butter until very soft. Season to your taste with sea salt and a pinch of sugar. Add a thick slice or two of chopped stale bread and allow it to soak up the nectar.
Find a variety of tomatoes at most any of our produce vendors right now, along with fresh herbs and the best bread vendors too.
Word has it that Caradonna Farms may be bringing peaches this week. Have you ever made a peach caprese salad?
Combine sliced peaches and Joe Mozzarella cubed cheese with chiffonades of fresh basil and mint, then drizzle with Arlotta olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. A splash of white balsamic vinegar is also nice, as well as a sprinkling of nuts or seeds. Try making this with fresh plums or cherries instead of peaches or a combination of stone fruit.
Did you find the first of season corn last week at Madura Farms? I served mine with a simple pasta and fresh clams from Pura Vida.
Be on the lookout for this week’s other rotating vendors: Asian Farmer Dumplings, Copper Faucet Soap Co., Hudson Valley Fisheries, Silvia’s Kitchen, Two Birds Artisan Provisions and Leila’s Crepes. Greg Connors returns for the first time this season in the music tent from 10:30 to 12:30.
Please stop by the market table on Sunday to share some of your summer food memories and traditions with me. Also check out our “Barn Sale”... $10 for all remaining IFM t-shirts and our handy new washable string totes that carry up to forty pounds.
See you at the market!
