Thursday, August 30, 2012

A visit to our local farmer’s market in a small mountain town in search of homegrown tomatoes



I thought you might like to come along with us and stroll through our local farmer’s market and see what’s available in a typical small town in the mountains of North Carolina. I’m on the look-out for homegrown tomatoes for lunch. So here we go.

Ah ha, he has tomatoes. Great news. That’s not me above. I’m going to walk around first and see what’s available and then I’ll be back for the tomatoes.





That’s me in the dress visiting with another produce vendor. Let’s just stroll around and see where we go from here.















We have a lot of talented local artists in our area and many have studied their craft at The John Campbell Folk School in nearby Brasstown, NC. The Folk School offers year-around weeklong and weekend classes for adults in crafts such as woodworking and wood carving, art, music, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography, and writing. Check this link to their website to see their entire schedule.












This young lady is only ten years old and a very talented photographer as well as a fabulous musician who also plays her violin at the market. All of her proceeds from the sale of her note cards and bookmarks go to the people of Haiti.





Now, let’s head back and pick up some tomatoes for a tomato sandwich. How about a taste?



Yes, these are delicious and exactly what I’m looking for. (Pretty wooden bowls.)

The very best way to enjoy a homegrown tomato in my opinion is on a tomato sandwich. I learned to make this particular tomato sandwich when we lived in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Absolutely every party we went to, from formal black tie events to casual picnics on the banks of the Mississippi River, there was always a big platter of these tomato sandwiches.



I call these “Tomato Sandwiches with a Pedigree” because they are fancied up and served without the crust. Pick a good tomato and peel it or not, then slice into rounds, and place on paper towels to drain. Blot tomatoes with more paper towels to remove the moisture (very important). Chop a little fresh basil and sprinkle it on the tomatoes along with some salt and freshly ground black pepper. With a large biscuit cutter, take two slices of white bread and cut each one into rounds to fit the tomato slices. Spread one side of each circle of bread with good quality mayonnaise such as Hellman’s (or better still, homemade) and don’t be skimpy. Insert a tomato slice, top with the remaining bread, then sprinkle paprika lightly over the top. Take one bite and you’ll agree there’s nothing finer than a tomato sandwich. Make as many as your heart desires.



Often in the dead heat of summer and it's hot as all get-out, some Southerners just might enjoy a plate of these tomato sandwiches for their dinner along with a very cold bourbon and branch water and call it a day.



This will be shared with Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farms, Miz Helen’s Country Kitchen Full Plate Thursday, Foodie Friday at Simple Recipes, Foodtastic Friday at Not Your Ordinary Recipes, Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper, Southern Sundays at Slice of Southern, and On the Menu Monday at Stone Gable.

Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy Labor Day if you live in the states.


45 comments:

  1. Yes ma'am--nothing like a tomato sandwich! I was hit with another delicious memory while reading your post. It was of sliced tomatoes on biscuits for breakfast. Thanks for bringing me along to your wonderful mountain farmer's market. I would have left with a big bag of tomatoes and one of those fabulous mugs.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  2. A beautiful market with marvelous produces!

    Love those cute tomato sandwiches.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  3. Don't ya just love those local markets? I loved the coffee cups. Also, I have never seen such a fancy, shmancy tomato sandwich!! I am going to have to try this. I have a window sill loaded with fresh tomatoes from the garden and a football game Saturday, that will be one of my finger foods for sure. As always, I enjoy your blog and thanks for this post.

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  4. Oh, I just love a good tomato sandwich! It's my favorite way to eat them. I love these little fancy ones. I enjoy a good farmer's market. We have a small one here that's pretty good. Your's looks wonderful. Enjoy.

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  5. Growing up we had a vegetable gardens and there was nothing like a freshly picked tomato. I like to visit local farmers to buy some now and make tomato sandwiches for lunch.

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  6. First of all I have a hard time finding good home grown tomatoes around here. I am spoiled by my mom's home grown tomatoes growing up in Michigan. Tomatoes in Florida just don't measure up. Second I have never had a tomato sandwich, we used to just eat them sliced with a little salt. Seeing your tomato sandwich makes me want to try it. I will be searching our farmers market soon...it picks up again in September when it starts to cool off a little. Haven't been all summer. :) Thanks for taking us along.

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  7. halo im adam from indonesia..i like your articel

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  8. I am anxious to explore your country. My daughter just moved to the Hayesville/Murphy area. Looks beautiful.

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  9. Compared to this idly bitty town that I live in, you've got a SUPER farmers' market Sam! WOW! I wish I could have been there! What a treat for you to share this! Crafts too? That happens to be my research focus (marketing strategies for handmade local indigenous crafts!) I'd go broke at your market. PS: i grew up on tomato sandwiches, but not with a pedigree. We just slapped on the 'maters with the mayo and dug in to enjoy! Gosh we've got a lot in common! You certainly scored well at your farmers' market!

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  10. Beautiful! I love the birdhouses!

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  11. Our farmer market is way SMALLER.
    I like good tomato sandwiches, (prefer with crust on though)!

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  12. I live in Mint Hill (SE of Charlotte), and we have a great market nearby in Matthews. By your photos, it's very similar. It's open year-round and has most of the things your photos depicted. Also local chefs come on Saturdays and do demos using the local fare. The peaches have been FABULOUS all summer, altho they are now finished! :-( But apples are next!!

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  13. What a neat journey! It's interesting to see the similarities & differences of our market in SoCal. 2 things we always have are fishing boats selling fresh fish, and strawberries (year-round). We haven't seen any pumpkins yet. What beautiful dahlias!

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  14. That is an absolutely gorgeous little farmer's market. Looks like a very pleasant time was had by all. I'm in love with those beautiful wooden cutting boards!!

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  15. I knew it was you:) We have those birdhouses..very very similar:)The little round sandwiches are so cute:)And I bought one of my DSIL's a cutting board..just like those at our market last summer!

    That young girl..:)

    Sam..have you ever seen Ann Thibault's cutting boards? You would swoon:)

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  16. Well, I would be snapping up tomatoes and ceramics if I were there .... I love those pretty sandwiches with pedigree!

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  17. Beautiful little sandwiches Sam! Love the idea. Thanks for taking us along on that tour of the Farmer's Market. What caught my attention was that beautiful Jalapeno Jelly, those gorgeous cutting boards and that jar of pickles!

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  18. What a fabulous Farmer's Market! Not only do they have luscious looking organic produce but all those wonderful handmade items. I'd love one of those parquet cutting boards!

    Your tomato sandwich with a pedigree looks divine, Sam!

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  19. Sounds delicious and looks so pretty as well. Hubby & I were hoping to take a spin around our little market in Spartanburg this weekend. Now I am definitely adding tomatoes to my list of goodies to buy! Have a great weekend!

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  20. Thanks for taking me along on your trip to the market, Sam. I always love to see farmers' markets in different parts of the country. We don't have any crafts in my market. If we did I would be taking one of those bird houses home with me.

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  21. Hi Sam, Delightful tomato sandwiches! Looks like you had a wonderful time :) And the farmer's market produce looks absolutely fabulous! Hope you have a great weekend!

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  22. What a delight! Memories....Memories. Was the Farmers Market in Waynesville? Looks familiar.

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    1. Hi Claudette, it's in Murphy, west of Waynesville almost into Tennessee.
      Sam

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  23. I love your photos of the market and you tomato sandwiches look awesome. Have a great weekend!

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  24. Oh I've spent the last 30 minutes enjoying your gorgeous and delicious site. By the way I love that necklace you have on with the beige linen dress at the market. Really a great piece even looking over your shoulder. Have a happy, safe, and blessed holiday weekend. It's always a pleasure hearing from you or reading your posts.
    Happy Twirls

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  25. Heavenly sandwiches! I can just taste the juicy tomato, the cool mayo and the peppery basil. I love seeing farmer's markets from different parts of the country, they all have such a distinctive flavor of their own---great post!

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  26. Hi Sam,
    I just loved going to your Farmers Market. The Market had lots of interesting vendors and I can almost feel the energy of the event.

    Fresh Tomato Sandwiches take me back to a time with my family sitting on the porch with a tray of Tomato Sandwiches and a pitcher of Iced Tea, a very comforting memory.

    Hope you have a great holiday weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  27. What a fun visit! First the colored peppers made me swoon, second I've tried to get that look with Jalapeno jelly a couple times and failed, and third I could live on tomato sandwiches-love your fancy version! Have a great Labor Day Weekend:@)

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  28. I love it!! We would really get along Sam!! I try to go to the Farmer's Market every week. These farmers and artisans deserve to be recognized and you've done a great job doing so. Love your beautiful and simple tomato sandwiches!! Please tell me you bought some of those pickles?! :) Thanks for linking to Foodtastic Friday!

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  29. What a lovely market! I have several that I frequent in Maine, and one year round!!! Your tomato sandwiches look delicious too!

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  30. Look's like a pretty impressive array of stuff at the market. I had a mater sandwich the other day but not nearly so elegant as yours - only you could fancy up a slice of tomato and two slices of white bread :-)

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  31. What a delightful spin around the market! I have not made my pepper jelly in years and would be tempted to buy a jar. The tomato sandwiches are right down our alley... we have basil in the herb garden and homemade mayo in the fridge. So sad, we do not have any more homegrown tomatoes in our area.

    How sweet, the talented young lady donating her proceeds to Haiti.

    Bises,
    Genie

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  32. Looks like you found the mother load~I am so jealous!! I just love the markets and now with summer ending, some great finds!

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  33. I love, love, love tomato sandwiches with mayo on it. But I must admit I haven't seen one quite as cute as yours. They are one of my very favorite things to eat in the summer. Also great Farmer's Market you have shared.

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  34. Oh I love these perfect round tomato sandwiches with a pedigree! Love those wooden bowls too :)

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  35. that's exactly what I need. I have tomatoes that are going to go bad and would be perfect on sandwiches! I came over from Stonegable link up and I'm excited to see what else you have coming up! I am always in need of new recipes

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  36. You do have some really talented venders there, I really like the potter's stuff. We enjoying going to the markets on Saturday morning, never knowing what we'll find.

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  37. Love how you cut the bread the same size and shape as the tomato slices!

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  38. adore this post the bird boxes and pottery are cute and wow love your version of tomato sandwiches

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  39. A visit to the local farmers' market is always a great day out!
    x
    Melissah

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  40. This may be the first time that I have run into a recipe for tomato sandwich, it sounds quite divine. I will have to make it soon as I have fresh herbs and tomatoes growing. Your farmer's market looks fabulous! I'd love one of those cutting boards.

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  41. What a wonderful market. I'm very curious about the stove top covers!

    I love your version of tomato sandwiches. I'll definitely give them a try with some of my bounty of homegrown tomatoes.

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  42. What a wonderful place! Hope your weekend is going well. Thanks for sharing on Southern Sundays! Hope to see you tomorrow.

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  43. Ohhhhh... those peppers! I want my coffin to be filled with them!!!

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  44. Hello Sam

    These tomato sandwiches look absolutely delicious. I must make some. I have a stash of organic tomatoes just gifted to us by a farmer. How timely Hope you are keeping well Helen xx

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