Tomatoes!

Bruce invited us to a tomato tasting ceremony at his home.  These were gorgeous, home grown tomatoes, grown from seeds which he ordered from America, different varieties, big, small, deep dark red ones and pinkish ones that looked almost artificial, knobbly ones and smooth round ones. 

Bruce is a perfectionist and the tasting ceremony was beautifully presented with attention to detail - bread and cheese locally made on Imhoff's Gift farm, the tomatoes labelled so that we could try out the different varieties.  There was something about their ripeness and roundness that made one want to savour every aspect of it.  The tomatoes go really well with cheese and spring onions and olive oil, but to experience each one's individual flavour and texture, it was best to taste it on its own.  The names were poetic - Plack Prince, Black Russian, Marglobe - and we feasted on the unusual shades and shapes.  All our senses were involved - it was one of those perfect evenings after a hot day, still, with only the sounds of waves breaking on the beach and people talking and laughing in comfortable togetherness.  The moon was hanging above the horizon before dipping into the Atlantic, a yellow sickle with the faint outlaine of the rest of the bubble visible.

Patrick enjoys his tomatoes fried with a little garlic and herbs in butter, eaten on toast, but Bruce reckons that the subtle flavours get lost when cooked.  I've been using our home grown tomatoes in stews and pasta dishes - they are delicious no matter how you prepare them, and not as acidic as the ones we buy at the shop.  Here are some pictures of our evening.