Ode to a tomato

I borrowed the following from Pablo Neruda:

unabated,

the tomato

invadesthe kitchen,

it enters at lunchtime,

takesits ease

on countertops,

among glasses,

butter dishes,

blue saltcellars.

It sheds its own light,

benign majesty.

Tomatoes are definitely worthy of an ode, especially heirloom tomatoes. Up next in the “Oregon’s Bounty” class series- Totally Heirloom Tomato. It’s time to think seasonally, and buy locally. There are so many unique tomatoes that are often overlooked. But their flavor is incomparable to those mealy, super-market tomatoes with little or no flavor. A real, fresh tomato smells like a tomato, and needs nothing at all to dress it up. (Although some good olive oil and fleur de sel never hurts….)
The class, which will be held Wednesday, September 3rd, will provide you a chance to taste a dozen locally grown tomatoes, all at the peak of ripeness. The tomatoes will be used in dishes including other local ingredients, such as free range chicken and seasonal Oregon Fish. The menu includes Orange, yellow and red cherry tomatoes stuffed with crab salad, Gazpacho, Heirloom tomato salad with fresh mozzarella and lettuce leaf basil, and Seabass Vera Cruz with tomatoes, capers and bell peppers. There will even be a Chocolate tomato cake for dessert. It’s time to pay tribute to these wonderful garden treats while they’re still in season!
-Josie