I’ve been waiting all year to make tomato pie!
Each summer I look forward to that tiny sliver of a moment when plentiful local, ripe, delicious tomatoes are available. It’s August now, so the farmers markets should be sporting tables overflowing with heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, and big bright red tomatoes!
Right?
That’s what I thought, but in a recent visit to my local farmers market, there was nary a [real, vine ripened in the out of doors] tomato in sight.
Alas, it seems, though the cool spring and anemic part of the summer appear to be behind us, the coolness has already taken its toll on our tomatoes.
Typically the first ripe tomatoes are seen by August 1st. This year, expectations have been pushed back to the start of September.
Area growers say there is no way of telling if the wait will be worth it. The biggest hindrance to the plants this year has been the number of cool nights with temperatures well below 60 degrees.
On average, fruits and vegetables are ripening 2 – 4 weeks behind schedule.
Sigh.
But one ramification of the unseasonably cool weather is that the strawberries are still around, and reputedly very good this year, as are the peaches and cantaloupes. I think I’ll hit the Interstate Farmers Market on the way home from work this afternoon.
It’s been hot as hell here in the midwest. I will have to hit the farmer’s market in town and see what I can find.
Aimee – It’s misty this morning in Portland! It’s supposed to burn off, but still . . . Here’s hoping for a gorgeous September and October . . .
There are mountains of tomatoes at the Saturday Farmers’ Market at PSU. You and Heather should go this weekend.
Morgen – We have a busy weekend, so not sure I can get downtown. I might swing by the Interstate Farmers Market today though.
I was able to find tomatoes at one booth last Wednesday at the Moreland Farmer’s Market. Going to try again today because the few fruit I have on my plants in my garden appear to be destined ripeness sometime in September at the earliest.
I had 1 ripe cherry tomato in my garden yesterday, first of the season. Out of 10 plants, that’s a pretty sad showing!