Heirloom Tomatoes: Simply Delicious

Heirloom tomatoes continue to gain popularity for their delicious flavor and unique appearance. Sometimes referred to as heritage tomatoes, heirlooms are a tomato variety that’s been passed down from farmer to farmer (or gardener to gardener) for generations. Unlike modern hybrid tomato varieties, heirloom tomatoes come from seed, making them easy to share.

Because there’s no typical heirloom tomato taste; some are sweet; some more acidic; they’re great for a variety of dishes. With names like Black Zebra, Casady’s Folly, Beam’s Yellow Pear, and Dixie Golden Giant, you can imagine the different shapes, sizes and colors these tomatoes take.

SpringHouse Restaurant’s Executive Chef Rob McDaniel sources heirlooms from David and Betty Maddox at the Curb Market in Montgomery, who carry five to six varieties of the tasty beauties.

If we’ve piqued your interest, or made you hungry, give Chef Rob’s Heirloom Tomato Salad recipe a try – or make a reservation at SpringHouse and let Chef Rob do the cooking!

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Ingredients:
3 heirloom tomatoes, about a pound
1 small Kirby cucumber
1 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 jalapeño pepper, minced

How to prepare:
Place sugar, jalapeño and vinegar in a small mixing bowl and mix well until sugar has dissolved. Peel cucumber and remove seeds then cut into half moons. Core and quarter tomatoes and add to vinegar mixture with cucumbers. Marinate for 10 to 15 minutes. Add fresh basil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy!