Good Stuff

Heirloom Tomato Salad

This is an extremely simple recipe that satisfies many senses. The tomatoes and herbs are sweet and aromatic. The olive oil and cheese provide nutty, salty goodness, while the balsamic vinegar brings the zip and zest. Try utilizing a variety of tomatoes and it will also be a feast for the eyes!

Ingredients:

• Heirloom tomatoes, sliced
• Fresh herbs like basil, oregano and chives
• Fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Assemble the salad with slices of tomatoes, herbs, and mozzarella slices. Sprinkle extra virgin olive oil over the salad. Add a dash of vinegar and a light sprinkling of salt and pepper. For a completely different flavor, you can substitute the mozzarella with thin slices of Parmesan or Manchego.

THE FACTS: Tomatoes and the lycopene they contain have been shown in several recent studies to provide numerous health benefits, be it in fighting oxidative damage to our DNA or in contributing to what Edward Giovannucci of Harvard Medical school describes as, "The consistently lower risk of cancer for a variety of anatomic sites that is associated with higher consumption of tomatoes and tomato-based products."

Although one serving (1 oz.) of mozzarella cheese contains over 4 grams of saturated fat, it also contains protein, vitamin A and phosphorus. It is also, in the words of the USDA, "an excellent source of calcium" and an alternative to meat.

Olive oil, of course, is prized by nutritionists for its "good" monounsaturated fat, a well documented LDL-cholesterol fighter.

What is an Heirloom?

An heirloom is generally considered to be a variety that has been passed down, through several generations of a family because of it's valued characteristics. Since 'heirloom' varieties have become popular in the past few years there have been liberties taken with the use of this term for commercial purposes. Tomato experts Craig LeHoullier and Carolyn Male have classified heirlooms into four categories:

1. Commercial Heirlooms: Open-pollinated varieties introduced before 1940, or tomato varieties more than 50 years in circulation.
2. Family Heirlooms: Seeds that have been passed down for several generations through a family.
3. Created Heirlooms: Crossing two known parents (either two heirlooms or an heirloom and a hybrid) and dehybridizing the resulting seeds for how ever many years/generations it takes to eliminate the undesirable characteristics and stabilize the desired characteristics, perhaps as many as 8 years or more.
4. Mystery Heirlooms: Varieties that are a product of natural cross-pollination of other heirloom varieties.

(Note: All heirloom varieties are open-pollinated but not all open-pollinated varieties are heirloom varieties.)

Go Green with iBean

Falling Water Gardens has iBeans! An “Inspiration Bean” is NOT just an ordinary bean. Each one represents a goal, a desire, a dream, a hope or wish that is indicated by the inscription on it. There is a purpose, a life, a powerful energy inside each one waiting to be unleashed.

“Inspiration Beans” can be purchased separate or included with a growing kit. The imprint on the husk actuall leaves its impression on the leaf, and continues to be visible as the plant grows! Beans are also nitrogen fixers, which is great for soils.

The containers are biodegradable and made from all natural grain husks, an abundant and renewable agricultural byproduct helping keep our earth green and water clean. Starter soil is included. Just add water!

Individual beans are $5 and kits are just $20.