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kitchensqueen · Chef Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Chicago

What better combination than gardening and cooking? I love growing open-pollinated heirloom vegetables. Some of my favorites are Lollo Rossa lettuce, Tiny Tim tomatoes, and Tom Thumb lettuce. They're all great for containers and have superior flavor. What are some of everyone else's favorites?
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Serri · Commis Chef Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 14

I have always wanted to try green tomatoes... I guess cause of the movie. Smile

Anyone know how to make them?

kitchensqueen · Chef Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Chicago

It's super simple. You can use any tomato that is not-ripe green. Just slice it into 1/4 inch thick slices. Dip each slice in egg, then in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Then fry for a couple of minutes per side (until golden brown) in hot oil. Voila!

As far as heirloom varieties to try this with, I would recommend Mortgage Lifter (for big ones) and Red Zebra for flavor. Or Black from Tula. So many to choose from. Yummy!
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pattit · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 4:56 pm Post subject:

My favorite tomato is the heirloom ones, Brandywine, Mortgage lifter etc. I always plant two sweet 100 cherry tomato plants, I planted a pineapple tomato plant again this year. I have one tomato plant that I lost the tag to and I am not sure what it is, I am sure I will be pleasantly surprised, I always have to plant at least 1 Beefsteak tomato for hubby. I planted rosemary, basil and I have chive plants, I planted a red leaf lettuce and a green leaf lettuce. We love fried green tomatoes, it is something we grew up eating so I was surprised to hear that it is considered a southern dish. Question

kitchensqueen · Chef Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Chicago

Pattit, are your lettuces heirloom? Which varieties did you plant?
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pattit · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 4:50 am Post subject:

No they are not heirloom lettuce's one is Black seeded Simpson and I can't remember off hand what the other one is, it is so great to be able to just go out and pick some lettuce for a sandwich etc. I had never grown lettuce before because of slugs, I don't know why I never thought of growing them in big containers before, and they look beautiful too!

kitchensqueen · Chef Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Chicago

I think Black Seeded Simpson (at least certain strains of it) is considered an heirloom. I'll have to check. If you like that one, you might also like Tom Thumb, which I mentioned above. It grows only to be about the size of a softball, so it's enough for one small sandwhich or salad. It's buttery and yet crunchy at the same time. Really delicious. And they look fantastic bunched into a container or in a windowbox.
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pattit · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 10:40 am Post subject:

I was quite surprised yesterday that the seeds that I had planted for the black seeded simpson are coming up real good, I will have to thin them out soon, any idea whether they will transplant? I think I had read somewhere that they don't do well if transplanted but I am not sure.

kitchensqueen · Chef Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Chicago

Hm. I've never tried transplanting lettuce. You could try.
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pattit · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject:

I think I will try, I just hate to throw the little "babies" out ha ha ha.