Tomatoes...pomodori When the tomatoes first make their appearance, it can be hit or miss to finding them really ripe, But come the end of summer, there is no doubt. Tomatoes rule! It is hard to believe that tomatoes only came into use in the Italian cuisine after they were brought back from the New World, but were only used for cooking in the 1600s! One of my favorite sauces, which I make at the beginning of the season, but which is especially good at the end, is with the pomodori verdi, or green tomatoes. This tomato confit is really great on pasta, but also as an appetizer served with chunks of Parmesan cheese, or with pork chops in place of applesauce. Farm stands in the countryside practically giving away tomatoes and many of the overripe tomatoes are left on the ground. What a shame! But the prices drop and everyone is cooking! The air has a fabulous fragrance from the housewives making pomorola--the best and simplest sauce made by cooking ripe tomatoes with basil and a little salt. Huge pots are put outside in the patio to keep the kitchen cool and the year's supply of sauce is made. If you cook pasta everyday of the year, probably once a day if not twice, how many jars would you need? I would suggest at least a jar a week, so at least 52 jars! Most Italians make twice that! The next best thing to having your own is to use the Italian canned tomatoes. They are harvested in August when the tomatoes are at their ripest and cheapest! A little heat in your skillet and they fall apart. Paradiso! > Panzanella > Green tomato pasta sauce > Bruschetta > Pappa al pomodoro Give you any ideas? Click here to return to the Estate newsletter. NEWSLETTERS Estate Primavera Tuscan Chocolate Valley I Scream, U Scream, We All Scream for...Gelato! Slow Food, Slow Travel Sagre, Sagre, Sagre! Tuscan Virgins Fall Festivals La Notte di San Lorenzo Fireflies & Fireworks I Love EWE! Andrea's Christmas Dinner Addio Bistecca alla Fiorentina! Guelfa e Ghibellini Tartufi, Feste & Sagre Piatti del Buon Ricordo COMING SOON! Carrara: Marble & White Prosciutto