Fresh Tomatoes!

In our Eat Local Challenge brochure, we listed many sources and hot new spots for buying locally grown and prepared foods. (for a copy of this brochure, email april@tidalcreek.coop)

Today we received some up to the minute news on one of our favorite buying spots!

Mack Fleming at 52nd Street City Farm harvested 20 pounds of tomatoes this morning! These tomatoes are fresh off the vine and ready to be eaten! He also harvested 12 pounds of heirloom tomatoes! Visit Mack and his pounds of tomatoes at 5203 Oleander Drive behind Everything Peaceful.

One of our favorite recipes for heirloom tomatoes is the Heirloom Strata dish courtesy of Natural Health Magazine.

Just-Warmed Heirloom Tomato Strata

with Smoked Mozzarella, Basil, and Arugula [SERVES 6]

 6  medium-sized heirloom tomatoes

    salt and freshly ground

    black pepper to taste

1/8 cup red wine vinegar

  1 medium shallot, finely minced

  1 cup finely chopped green or purple basil

  1 tablespoon sugar

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  8 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese, cut into12 thin slices

  6 ounces or 1 large bunch arugula

1. Preheat oven to 375[degrees] F.

 2. Wash the tomatoes. If a tomato lacks a flat base, cut a
bit off the bottom so it can rest flat. Turn each tomato onto
its side, and cut it thickly on the horizontal into a base, middle,
and top slice, leaving the stem in place to preserve the beauty of
the whole fruit. Lightly season tomato slices with salt
and black pepper.

 3. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, shallot, basil, sugar, and
olive oil to make a vinaigrette.

 4. In a shallow baking dish, arrange the base slices of the 6 tomatoes;
layer each with a slice of cheese, then drizzle with 1 teaspoon
vinaigrette. Repeat with the middle slices, "capping" each strata
with a top slice and attached stem. Warm in the oven for about 10 minutes.

 5. Place the arugula in a medium bowl, lightly season with salt and pepper,
and add just enough vinaigrette to moisten, reserving the rest.

 6. Divide the arugula among 6 plates, or arrange on a large serving platter.
 Using a spatula, carefully remove the stratas and arrange them on top of the
arugula. Drizzle lightly with reserved vinaigrette and serve immediately.

Looking for more ways to prepare Mack's tomatoes? Click here for recipes!