Life in the Garden 05: Tomatoes

Four months ago I talked about my new aerogarden.

Since then, my patience has born fruit.

I've been munching on tomatoes over the past couple of weeks. As the get riper they get softer.

They taste -- like tomatoes. They have strong flavor with an acid bite. When I pierce the tomato skin with me teeth, the juices explode in my mouth. There is more stuff in the tomatoes than can be contained by their surface.

It may seem obvious that tomatoes taste like tomatoes, but they rarely do. Modern grocery store tomatoes are bred for pretty skin, shelf life, and durability on a truck. Flavor is not a part of that formula.

But mine taste like tomatoes.

But mine can't be saved for a special occasion. They are meant to be consumed when they're ready without regard for my schedule. So yesterday, I had a lovely salad.

I cut the tomatoes in half and added them to a bowl with tuna fish and basil.

It's the perfect warm weather salad.

If you are looking for a different appetizer, take a large basil leaf, add a spoonful of tuna fish, a tomato split in half, fold, and enjoy.

Basil and tomatoes are a natural pair -- they go perfectly together. I grew the basil myself, too.

Next year, I'll try growing my own tuna.