Yesterday the temperature at SeaTac Airport hit an unbelievable 93 degrees, smashing the previous September high record to smithereens. Here in West Seattle, closer to the water, it wasn't quite that warm but still a spectacular day for working outside, and work I did. I painted the back deck, a once a year job that has never been done in September before, because it's usually cool and rainy by now. Not this year. How about these eight foot cannas, glowing in the sultry evening light? And if you grew tomatoes in Seattle, you have a bumper crop now.
More cherry tomatoes than even I could eat, and bowls and bowls of nice Roma from just two plants. But remember that
Indigo Rose heirloom variety?
It produced hundreds of unappetizing little black tomatoes that ripened, but tasted like...well, mealy old nothingness. John wouldn't touch them, and I have to say, they reminded me a bit of nightshade berries that grew on our farm; Mother taught us to be terrified of them. All "heirloom" tomatoes are not created equal.
Back to the wonderful Roma variety. If you've never done this, you have to try it. Cut them in half, touch of olive oil, simple, slow oven drying (250 degrees) for about 3 hours. They eventually caramelize into something that tastes like tomato taffy, a substance that is truly wonderful mixed with pasta, or in this case, shrimp and garlic with a dab of salted butter.
With grilled eggplant, maybe the best thing I ate all summer.
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