The Drama of the Tomato

January 8: we ate the first tomato of the year.

Ania was here till yesterday, and hope there was that she would get some fresh tomatoes before decamping back to Austin. And indeed, in the sheltered area next to the garage, there are tons of green lumps. But then, a couple of days ago, one of them started going pale, and this morning it had taken a decided turn to the yellow. In fact, it was yellow all over. In fact, it was a yellow tomato, and it was ripe!

One single tomato, sitting on the counter amongst the now-sheepish red hothouse tomatoes from the market. Finally, at lunch, we cut into it, and sure enough: the best tomato of the year, smelling of the vine, bright, sweet and biting in equal (though still modest) measures.

Yeah, we've had some sugar peas, the odd head of cauliflower, broccoli and lettuce. But this. THIS is the beginning of summer eating.