Heirloom Tomatoes are another amazing summer food. If you want to get someone interested in buying produce locally or regionally, you need only walk them by a farm stand featuring heirlooms. The seeds are by definition passed down from generation to generation so what you’ll find in your area may be totally different than the next town over. Mine come from the Green Market at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, NY.

They’re exciting because they’re more colorful and flavorful than the predictable, standard issues red ones found at the grocery store. We’ve found some to be ridiculously tangy, some juicy and muted and some are more sour. You never know until you try one. The shelf life is much shorter, but the reward can be far higher. A good way to sample the flavor beyond just slicing one open is salsa. Here is a simple one taking advantage of these seasonal tomatoes.

Ingredients:

3 different types of heirloom tomatoes (I went with two small and one medium)

1/3 medium size onion (chopped, for extra kick use red onion)

Handful of cilantro

Black Pepper to taste

Salt to taste

Garlic Powder

Chili Powder to taste

Lime to taste

½ tsp Olive Oil

Method: Chop tomato into small chunks. Chop onions finely. Throw both tomatoes and onion into mixing bowl.

Heirloom Tomatoes Chopped

Heirloom Salsa in Mixing Bowl

Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl. Mix well. Mash coarsely if desired. Refrigerate for a few hours for maximum taste. Eat them with tortilla chips.

Heirloom Tomato Salsa

Here is a great Panzanella Salad recipe also using heirloom tomatoes.