Ahhh summer.  The anticipation of fresh ripe tomatoes and all that evokes can turn, as July becomes August, into elation, satisfaction and then often into frustration. “What do I do with all these tomatoes!?”
 
Such a problem!
 
Yes, flavorful summer tomatoes are beginning to pile up on kitchen counters in many areas of the country right about now.  The problem truly does become what to do with the harvest before the beauties you’ve worked so hard to produce become candidates for the compost pile.
 
The neighbor peeking over the back fence probably has a few ideas and doubtless you’ve shared your bounty with those near and dear. But the key is to enjoy them in every way possible now and then work out ways you can preserve them and use them later on this season and this year.

Hey tomato lovers, when is Louisiana just like New Jersey?

Heard that one before?

Well, when it comes to the enthusiasm for and an emotional attachment to summers gone by; the robust taste of our favorite garden vegetable connects these two diverse regions. How many times have I been asked, “Do you know of any tomatoes that are as good as an old-fashioned Jersey tomato?” There is definitely a bayou version of that same question, though with a decidedly different accent.

I’m in Louisiana visiting family and friends, and once again in search of the Creole tomato. Given it’s July and tomato seasons are early here who knows what I’ll find.

Well, big news at SippitySup. First things first. It's Monday and we have Scott here for more tips and encouragement for all of us TomatoManiacs.

Just in time because my harvest is starting to come in. I have quite a few small orange cherries from my Jenny plant. I even have one beautiful green-shouldered black tomato called, Nyagous. I picked it the morning I left for Sonoma and decided to let it sit and sweeten on the window sill a bit more while I was away for the long weekend.

You can imagine how excited I was to get back here and slice into that beauty and have my first real taste of a big juicy summer tomato.

But life, she is a bitter muse. Because she dealt me an irony that is almost epic in its comic proportions.

I broke my jaw in Sonoma and have had my jaw wired shut. It may be closed tighter than a tin can for the next 6 weeks! Can you stand it? A food blogger that can't eat! I would be laughing right now if it did not hurt so much...

I have spent countless weeks attempting to grow perfect tomatoes and now I can only look at them. This photo from the first of my harvest is going to have to satiate my tomato appetite.

And before anyone asks about the mysterious circumstances of my accident. Let's just say it involved 7 kids and one foolish adult in a game of tag. Because what happens in Sonoma stays in Sonoma! GREG

Welcome back to another TomatoMania Monday! Scott is here with the results of his Tomato Derby. In case you didn't know, the Derby was a race! A tomato race. He was out to see which varieties would fruit first. The original Tomato Derby post can be found here.  GREG

We Have A Winner!

The wait is over and yes, it’s officially tomato season!  Finally!
 
I turned green with envy recently reading about tomato festivals down south.  The season there is in full swing but cooler weather in the west has kept our season at bay for a couple weeks longer than expected.
 
The good news is that it looks to be a great season.  Our plants are loaded with fruit and just this weekend we picked Derby tomatoes!
 
The first of our early contenders to come through with ripe fruit is…STUPICE, the Czech heirloom!  We should change the name to “Old Reliable”. The plant doesn’t really look great, which is oddly different from last year, but we picked two this weekend and there are over 25 other fruits well formed and ready to ripen in the next few weeks.  Since they’re growing in containers they’re due a light fertilizing this week, so perhaps it will perk up as it delivers the rest of its crop.
 
The second to turn color is JENNY (pictured at top of post), the small orange hybrid.  (Greg, you’re growing this one too…picking yet?) The plant is tall, lanky and covered with fruit.  It’s officially a cherry but the fruit is slightly elongated and some are a little larger on the blossom end.  The taste?  Phenomenal.  Bright and sweet and so fresh.  We tasted one or two just as we picked them and enjoyed the flavor.  But the ones we brought in and left on the kitchen counter for three days? Amazing!

It's time for another Maniac Monday.

Scott is back to help us understand that tomato term known as paste tomato. Or what I like to call a cooking tomato.

But before we bring Scott out I want to say.  I realize I have been a bit lax about posting this past week. I have been traveling. I had every good intention of keeping to my "new post a day" regime. But well, travel is stressful and I got busy. Besides today is a Holiday anyway. It's amazing I even found my way to the computer.

But do not worry. I will  be back home soon and right back into my self imposed blogging schedule. You'll get more Sup than you know what to do with! I promise...(maybe)!  GREG