Summer CSA Week 9-Tomato Salad

It's been a fun week for us getting to know our new friend from Brooklyn who came to visit us through the Fresh Air Fund. It gives children a chance to get out of the big city, and it gives us country dwellers an idea of a different kind of life.

Our young visitor is a twelve year old girl, and her life in an apartment in a massive city is a long way from ours. Adjusting to our eating habits, pets and lifestyle is no doubt tough. But I tell you, this girl has a sense of humour and she pulls it all off. She puts a unique spin on things and is game to try pretty much everything. It's going well, but I don't think she'll be a farmer in her future. She tried to dig a big ol' hole in my clay... and the clay won.

So here's the thing. I am an old mother of a  twelve year old. Between tending the farm and getting CSA baskets ready and keeping two twelve year olds happy an fed, I am tired. So I'll get right to the baskets that I delivered today.

Yes, there was zucchini and possibly summer squash and patty pans too. There was also tomatoes, (still the Stupice), sweet and hot peppers, onions, garlic, soup celery, Blue Ribbon beans, cucumber, basil, rosemary, eggplants, and a few mouse melons just for fun. If that isn't a summer basket, I don't know what is.

This recipe from Epicurious makes good use of your basket ingredients. Just use the smaller tomatoes instead of the large.

Tomato Onion and Zucchini Salad

yield
Serves 4

ingredients

• 2 large tomatoes,sliced
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried, crumbled
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper

preparation

Place alternating slices of tomatoes, zucchini and onion on serving platter. Sprinkle with herbs. Whisk together oil and vinegar and pour over salad. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 and up to 4 hours.