Would ya look at that?

That almost red thing slightly off center to the right is our first ripe (it's ripe today, wasn't a couple days ago when I took that photo) tomato of 2008. I've been jonesin' for a big, juicy tomato since May. So, these things have taken forever to ripen. We've also got a big fat tomato plant (I'm sure they have a name...but that's as technical as I get when it comes to tomatoes) that's really, really close too.

We don't typically buy tomatoes from the grocery store. No point. They taste like slightly wet cardboard. And lately they can make you pretty sick. Doing right by this fabulous planet and supporting our local farmers is an option we choose pretty often. But there's something about walking onto your back porch (our garden of choice to keep the local vermin from snagging them before we get the chance), seeing that ball (or oval) of juiciness and popping it into your mouth.

I'm finding this tomato obsession particularly odd because until a few years ago I wasn't a fan. Not even a little. Unless you count ketchup. In that case, big fan. Well, I like salsa too - specifically McDowell Farms Salsa which I happened upon a few years ago at Kentucky Crafted: The Market and have since found at Liquor Barn.

Happy tomato eating!