tomato week | summer fest 2010

Awaytogarden.com is putting on one of the best cross blogging events I have come across in a long time - Summer Fest 2010. This week they are celebrating my absolute favorite, tomatoes! Today bloggers are blogging up a storm posting their favorite tomato themed recipes and stories for everyone to enjoy (please see links at the end of this post). 

{Gott's bounty}

Yesterday I had the pleasure of touring the Gott's Roadside garden in St. Helena. What a beautiful garden, not to mention brilliant use of their property! I just love that they are growing and using their own fresh vegetables in their menu... and doubly love that the garden is just steps away from their kitchen.

Here are some pictures I snapped while waiting for my dinner... I plan on sharing more from their menu by the end of this week (it was too good to not share).

{rows + rows of tomatoes}

{picked + served fresh daily}

{heirloom goodness}

{fresh + pure + simple + very delicious}

GOTT'S ROADSIDE PANZANELLA

2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into 1" cubes

1 red onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cucumber, partially peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/4" slices

1/2 stale baguette, cut into 1" cubes

1/2 T salt

1/4 c good red wine vinegar

1/2 c extra virgin olive oil

torn basil leaves to taste

pepper to taste

Mix tomatoes, onions, garlic, salt, oil and vinegar together - let sit for 30 minutes covered at room temperature. Add remaining ingredients, allow to rest together for 30 more minutes, tossing occasionally to allow for even distribution of ingredients. Serve at room temperature.

{Delish panzanella photograph courtesy of Robb McDonough} 

More of my favorite tomato recipes:
Smitten Kitchen | classic grilled cheese + cream of tomato soup
Smitten Kitchen | green bean + cherry tomato salad

Matt Bites | capellini with fresh tomato sauce
Sunday Suppers | heirloom tomato salad
The Dinner Files | corn, cucumber, tomato salad

and please visit these lovely blogs below for more Tomato Week goodness:
Literary Legacies

Napavore

Napafarmhouse 1885

Inspire your Lifestyle

The Nest | Flourish

Healthy Napa

Hedonism Ink

p.s. thank you to matt + rick at gott's roadside for being so hospitable.