Today I harvested the drops of sunshine from the garden--Sungold Tomatoes. The few I ate right off the vine were bursting with flavor and I couldn't wait to cook them up into a kind of fresh tomato sauce to serve with the delicious pappardelle pasta I had on hand.
Dinner was quick and simple. While the pasta cooked I sauteed the tomatoes with garlic and olive oil in a skillet until they softened. Then using my trusty pasta claw, I just lifted the pasta out of the pot and added it to the skillet. A pinch of sea salt, a few turns of the pepper mill and a good toss to mix, and I was good to go.
The tomatoes and pasta shared the spotlight with some tasty pork chops from McDonald Family Farm. These were quick and easy too: they were seasoned with salt and pepper and seared on both sides for few minutes in a cast iron pan then moved to the oven (350 degrees). I added a teaspoon of red onion confit on top and, let them cook for 20 minutes before turning. I added a little more confit before another 7 minutes of cooking. When they came out they were juicy and tender, with a touch of sweetness. Not a bad way to start the weekend.
(This photo and post are part of the DMGLGIT Challenge for July 2005 hosted by Andrew at Spittoon Biz at http://www.spittoon.biz/archives/announcing_does_my_blog_look_good_in_this.html.)
OH that looks heavenly! We've had a rainy summer so our toms are a bit behind schedule.. can't wait to some pasta like that!
Posted by: Heather | July 23, 2005 at 08:26 PM
Heather,
The tomato season is bit behind here too--I'm not sure why these Sungolds are ripening so quickly but I'm not complaining! The green zebras and peach tomatoes won't be ready for another week or two.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 24, 2005 at 04:35 PM
there is absolutely nothing... nothing like eating tomatoes right out of the garden on a sunny day. we've had sweet million cherry tomatoes coming for a couple of weeks, tomato sandwiches and marinated tomatoes with basil and two days ago the first ripe lemon yellow tomato and they are all delicious.
your photo is fabulous. my wife was drooling from across the room. care to share the credit?
thanks for this essay and the reminder that simple cooking, especially at harvest, is always the best
Posted by: kurt schrader | August 06, 2005 at 11:03 AM
Kurt,
Thanks so much for your comments--especially about some of the Pride of NY events--I'll try to make the one in November. Thanks, also for the nice words about this photo. I actually took this photo myself--minutes before devouring it. I'm an amateur when it comes to food photography but trying to learn every day.
Posted by: Jennifer | August 07, 2005 at 04:08 PM