In Pennsylvania, tomato season is at its peak from July to September. August is the perfect month to eat the juicy vegetable (or fruit — where did we land on that?) If you are able, and the season is right, it's always best to get produce locally, for both environmental and taste reasons. Celebrate the sweet, tangy, tender, tastiness of tomato season.
Farmers markets
This week marks National Farmers Market week (according to a coalition of farmers markets). The American Fitness Index recently ranked Pittsburgh as the ninth-best city out of the 100 biggest cities for most farmers markers per 1 million residents. In other words, we don't have the most farmers markets, but we're not too shabby either. Wherever you live, there is likely a farmers market in your neighborhood or one nearby. And there's no better place to buy tasty local tomatoes than from a regional farmer. You can find everything from little cherry tomatoes, to big and colorful heirloom tomatoes.
Tomato and Garlic Day at Phipps
If your tastebuds were made correctly, then you know that tomatoes and garlic are two of the best foods ever invented, so a day dedicated to them both is just beautiful. The 15th annual Tomato and Garlic Day on Sun., Aug. 25 will include an outdoor market, food tastings, planting activities, and a gardening Q&A. You can even meet Phipps' tomato mascot.
Tomato Toast at Bitter Ends (or other restaurants with local produce)
Sometimes you want a good tomato but missed the farmers market, or don't feel like cooking, or just want it prepared by someone who knows what they're doing. Plenty of restaurants in the city use fresh, local ingredients (tomatoes, for example). My personal favorite is the tomato toast at Bitter Ends Garden & Luncheonette. The tomatoes are perfectly ripe, sitting atop good bread, and mixed with herbs, marinated onions, and other tasty things. If you have a favorite tomato dish around the city, let us know! (So we can go eat it.)
You say tomato and I also say tomato, because it's tomato season
