Tomato Time!

Salad Tomato Medley from the Monument Garden

Tomatoes are in season and we are bursting at the seams with homegrown deliciousness from all around Georgetown. I don't think we've gotten in a tomato from further than 10 miles away. Come enjoy the fruits of your neighbors' labors!

Here is one of my favorite ways to enjoy tomato season...

Skillet Tomatoes & Summer Squash
Ingredients:
1 lb homegrown tomatoes, chopped
1 lb summer squash, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, chopped or put through a garlic press
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
1 tbs olive oil
Instructions:
I make this in my cast iron skillet, but you could use a frying pan if needed. Saute the onion in olive oil until soft, turn the heat up and cook the squash, stirring frequently until it browns a bit. Reduce heat to medium & add the garlic for a minute or so. Add the tomatoes and cook on medium heat until the tomatoes reduce and the squash is soft. I love to serve this with polenta or over cheese grits. You can also substitute okra or eggplant for the squash. Yum!

Market to become CSA pick up point for Johnson's Backyard Garden

In the early nineties more and more people were searching for fresh organic produce that was near impossible to find in stores, and farmers markets were still few and far between. Organic farming is more labor intensive and risky and as not taken seriously in the industry at the time, so many farmers were finding it hard to get loans to start their diversified organic vegetable farms. When concerned consumers and cash strapped organic farmers came together, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) was born. In a CSA a person can become a member of the farm and pay upfront for veggies through the growing season. This allows the farmer to have cash at the start of the season when they have most of their expenses, and the members to get the freshest produce available, the pride of directly supporting a family farmer, and a clear connection to their food.

On Thursday, February 9th, the Monument Market will become a pick up point for Johnson's Backyard Garden's CSA. Started in 2004 in East Austin, Johnson's Backyard has swiftly grown to be one of the largest organic vegetable farms in the area. Visit their website at http://www.jbgorganic.com/ for more information about the farm and to sign up for the CSA.