Along toward August, the tomato plants were thick with ripening fruit. Wire cages surrounded the plants so heavy with maters, they looked like they wanted to lay down and rest. Neighbors would often come over to check the progress of my dad's plants.
(pause for drama)
"You'll never guess."
(another pause for drama)
"Epsom Salts!"
Then a lengthy discussion would ensue about the amount of Epsom Salts to use and where to sprinkle it. My dad would then commence to selecting the nicest tomatoes to fill a sack for the admiring neighbor. My mom would look relieved every time a sackful left. That meant one less jar of stewed tomatoes, ketchup, or tomato sauce she would have to can.
The tomatoes were delicious; never mealy or sandy tasting. The first summer I realized my tomato love, I ate so many, I broke out in hives. My dad couldn't have been prouder. The next summer, he grew a low acid variety just for me.
I love the pauses. It reminded me of my grandfather...he was a gardener and loved the drama he created in his garden. It is infectious. Do you have a garden yet?
ReplyDeleteTomato Love...What a great Slice title Diana. From the start I was in. I have tomato love and I don't think I get to eat too many tomatoes like the ones you describe.
ReplyDeleteWe used to plant a garden like that but my parents were not true farmers and yes, we reaped the fruits but I don't have your memories...
What a great shot to include as well,
Bonnie
Tomatoes grown from the garden are the only ones worth eating. Love your personification of the plants. So how much epsom salt is needed?
ReplyDeleteStill a couple months until mater time here - but I love looking in my seed catalogs at all the various types. A good home-grown tomato beats a store tomato any day!
ReplyDeleteI read your post and I could taste the first tomato of the summer. My mother still grows tomatoes, so every summer my sister and our children wait for the tomatoes to ripen. The first ones always taste the best.
ReplyDeleteTerje
I love tomatoes! Store tomatoes just don't measure up to the ones grown at home.
ReplyDeleteFantastic writing! I will have to try the Epsom salt for my tomatoes this year; last year was a bit of a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE tomatoes! It's amazing how different the real thing tastes vs. what you get in the grocery store! Great slice!
ReplyDeleteDiana,
ReplyDeleteI enjoying hearing everyone's perspective on tomatoes. Dad is proud. Mom is a bit burdened. The young Diana has a new-love infatuation.
Lovely writing,
Erin
I think that spring coming helps us all to remember warmer days, & that means growing things to a lot of us. Your style came through steadily; examples I like are "Along about August & maters.
ReplyDeleteEpsom Salts! Who would have ever thought?! There's nothing quite like fresh tomatoes off the vine with just a teeny bit of good olive oil and sea salt...now my mouth is watering and August is a long way off!
ReplyDeleteYour fondness for tomatoes comes across clearly- especially when you use the term of endearment: maters. I am not a tomato eater, but I truly believe there needs to be a tomato plant perfume. There is no better scent in the world than a tomato freshly pulled off the vine. Your post brought me that scent and took me back to my grandma's house. Who knew tomatoes were such a universal topic? I am going to have to try a tomato prompt with my students tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteWarm tomatoes. Fresh from the garden. Nothing better. Thanks for the memories! Maybe I could plant just a couple...
ReplyDeleteLove the short dialogue followed by your reflection. I remember turning the tomatoes in some pan to swish the juice out. Best ever.:) MHG
ReplyDeleteNothing beats a homegrown tomato! The thought of a garden and fresh fruit is not even close in my part of the world---still covered in snow and ice.
ReplyDeleteMy computer isn't loading the picture - but my mouth is watering anyway. I have a niece who is big into gardening. She gave my sister 2 jars of tomato sauce for Christmas - with 20 pounds of tomatoes in them. I loved the cadence and word choice in your slice.
ReplyDelete