Which markets have the highest quality, lowest price tomatoes?

* Where do you find high quality, low cost produce?
* Is any tomato (heirloom or otherwise) worth $4.50 per lb.?
* What culinary plans do you have for the explosion of ripe summer tomatos?
* Got any pictures of the perfect plant?

On Wednesday, August 12th, the Kojo Nnamdi Show will be pondering "What should I do with all of these summer tomatoes"? We'll be getting fun new recipes from the folks at the WashPost Food section, and pondering the merits of the perfect summer tomato. We're also hoping to find farmers markets with that illusive balance of quality AND quantity.

Please share your recommendations. We'll be adding them to our ongoing food + wine map. And if you have any pictures, please post them here or send them to kojo@wamu.org.

*image from tomatocasual.com

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Permalink Reply by Paula Sparks on August 12, 2009 at 2:32pm: My father grew up on a farm in Millington, MD on the Eastern Shore. When they had more tomatoes than they could sell or use, my grandmother would make tomato gravy. Here's how my father passed the recipe on to me:

1 T butter
8 - 10 large very ripe tomatoes - August tomatoes are best, and seconds work just as well!
(You need enough tomatoes to fill a large frying pan when sliced.)
Salt
Pepper
Flour
Milk
Sugar

Slice tomatoes and lay out on wax paper in one layer.
Salt, pepper, and flour the tomatoes.

Melt the butter in the pan over low heat.
Lay tomatoes in the pan, flour side down, one layer at a time. Salt, pepper and flour each layer before adding another.
(Fill the pan)

Use a sharp knife to cut through the tomatoes - cut them up in the pan and cook over medium heat until reduced by half. Stir frequently. (This takes awhile!)

Fill the pan up with milk (skim milk is okay) and bring to a simmer.
Thicken with flour/water if necessary.
Add 1 T sugar or more to taste.

This is best served over bread - for breakfast, lunch or dinner - but if you're carb conscious, you can serve it on meatloaf or burgers

We find the best produce at Papa Johns Farm Market on New Cut Road - they even have home grown seedless tomatoes!; ▶ Reply to This