But of course, this is an impossible dream. As a chef, I am amazed that reputable restaurants keep tomato, mozzarella, and basil salads on the menu all year. Or that sliced tomatoes adorn sandwiches in the dead of winter, adding a note of color, but not much else. In With The Old Today we should rejoice that tomatoes, real tomatoes, are making a big comeback. From July through October there are long lines at our farmers' market in front of the tomato stalls.
People avidly munch on samples of the different varieties.
These days, however, many supermarkets are starting to carry an assortment of heirloom tomatoes. Because people are demanding better tomatoes. We long for them in the winter time, and eat them everyday from July through October. And then the party ends, until next summer. So, when you buy ripe summer tomatoes, please, do not refrigerate them.