Kalyn,

What surprised me the most was all the people still putting tomatoes in the fridge. Never. Should. Happen. But cool to see the full, the organized, and the broken.

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Simple Still Life

Debra, I agree 100%. Tomatoes should never go in the fridge. So sad.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Holy Cow! -- (among other things, of course) I was not only impressed with the very full refrigerator, even more so was my astonishment to learn that tomatoes should not be kept in that cold environment. I was born in 1930 (that would be "A.D.", by the way)and not one single human being told me NOT to put tomatoes in a refrigerator.....how is this possible?

My mother, who knew everything, always put those things in her refrigerator. All of my friends do it. My two grown-up daughters have always done it, and I would bet my oldest grandchildren who have their own homes do it, too.

This is freaking me out! LMAO

Lorraine O'Connor
Me and the Cat
The Mousetrap

Food scientists discovered that the amino acid or enzyme that gives tomatoes their fabulous flavor is destroyed in low temps. They announced it about 10-15 years ago, and the produce guys on TV news show, etc., have been trying to spread the news since then.

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Simple Still Life

Thanks Debra. I didn't know that it was scientifically proven not to put tomatoes in the fridge. Fun little tidbit to know.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Oops, published that comment twice.
Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Well I'll be darned! This is truly amazing. No, I'm serious, really. Thanks Debra, I honestly did not know this tidbit about tomatoes and I do appreciate knowing. The last few years, any and all tomatoes I have consumed -- no matter where I bought them -- have not been either as tasty or juicy, et al, as just a few years ago.....

I don't know why this is...but I'm not the only person who has noticed this. Even my best friend's home-grown tomatoes were not as juicy and tasty last year as usual. Now this is something I truly wish I knew the answer to....it couldn't be 'cause our taste buds change (along with everything else) as we grow older? That sounds fairly reasonable, eh?

B.A. ("before apartment living"), in my own backyard I always grew tomatoes and they were great. It didn't need to be cold, or have salt all over it, a warm tomato picked right off the vine was wonderful! I suspect I'm not the only one who scarfed a tomato right off the vine, right?

*sigh* Not having a vegetable garden is probably what I miss the most not having a house....which is one reason I go to our big farmers' markets as often as possible. The biggest one is a madhouse...hordes of people are waiting and raring to go....and when the market opens with a bell ringing, at precisely 1:00 p.m....you need to keep moving or you will be run over. lol

Lorraine
Meandthecat
The Mousetrap

Ok, rather than hijack Kalyn's fabulous post about "flashing your fridge", I'm making a note to research the "how-to-grow and find the perfect tomato" for a post of my own later this month.

And Kalyn, I envy your organized fridge!! You are invited to come organize mine anytime. I'll serve us some yummy BLTs.. with tomatoes that have never felt the cold. (hmm.. how do I do this South Beach style?)

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Simple Still Life

Ok, rather than hijack Kalyn's fabulous post about "flashing your fridge", I'm making a note to research the "how-to-grow and find the perfect tomato" for a post of my own later this month.

And Kalyn, I envy your organized fridge!! You are invited to come organize mine anytime. I'll serve us some yummy BLTs.. with tomatoes that have never felt the cold. (hmm.. how do I do this South Beach style?)

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Simple Still Life

Lorraine, I wish you lived in Salt Lake and I would give you some tomatoes from my garden. You too, Debra. I can tell I would enjoy having lunch with both of you.

This year I have 12 tomato plants, 7 different kinds of tomatoes including the heirloom Brandywine tomatoes which taste wonderful. BTW, a lot of people water their tomatoes WAY too much and that's why they aren't that flavorful.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Hey, we're cross commenting! Debra, to make the BLT South Beach approved, you just need to use 100% whole wheat bread. No white bread. Ok, bacon is not really allowed but I do eat it once in a while.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Going hunting next Tuesday....to our biggest farmer's market. I doubt there will be any tomatoes, it's a tad early here for them. We generally didn't plant our little baby plants till Memorial Day, that was the tradional start of planting season for suburban backyards in this Northern tundra. Hah. And Kalyn, thank you for the invitation, sounds wonderful. *sigh*

When we were stationed in California, I discovered the so-called "California" BLT...same as everyone else's except for a nice thick layer of ripe avocado on top of the basic stuff, including bacon. Sometimes I'd feel particularly righteous and would eat a BLT sans the bacon -- but knew I could never really accept that pitiful excuse for a real woman's BLT.

Lorraine
Me and the Cat
The Mousetrap