Sunday, October 09, 2011

Catalonian "Bread With Tomato"

Yeah, I know it's fall. But it's still tomato season.
I met a couple of friends at the farmers market this morning, where I shivered my gluteus maximus off, and my pal said, "I should have brought you some of my tomatoes." (I gave him a sack of autumn pears.) Doesn't matter. You can get boxes of tomatoes at discount prices now, to roast into sauce and then freeze or can for the winter.
And that's what we are planning to do this week.
But in the meantime, eat some tomatoes fresh, while you still can. While it's still tomato season.
I couldn't believe how fresh the tomatoes tasted in this humble preparation, pa amb tomaquet. Probably because there's a frisky scrape of fresh garlic rubbed into the toast. And a drizzle of your best olive oil. Then top it with raw tomato gloodge (it's easy; just rub tomato halves on the big holes of your box grater.) Not too much tomato. Surprisingly, skimpy is best. Finally a skimpy shower of lovely salt crystals.
The easiest thing in the world, and I order you to make some.
It's still tomato season.

19 comments:

cookiecrumb said...

FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, BASEBALL

Chilebrown said...

A very nice gluteus maximus, sorry about the maters.

cookiecrumb said...

Chilebrown: Yeah, that's why I didn't use your name. I didn't want to out you as the bozo who didn't give me tomatoes.
Very nice visiting with you and your beautiful wife today. So thrilled about both of you retiring!

Nancy Ewart said...

You say to-mA-toE, I say TO-maaa-too but we aren't going to call the whole thing off, are we?
And I must be a post behind because I just posted a hymn to my old cast iron skillet and cornbread on my blog.

kudzu said...

When someone from Spain made this for me, she just cut tomatoes in half and rubbed them on the bread (squeezing v-e-r-y gently). When tomatoes are ripe enough, I find that easier than using a grater. Whatever: it's a divine treat.

Zoomie said...

Now, that sounds great! I had tomato/avocado sandwich for lunch today and thought it was nearly perfect. Now I know what's for lunch tomorrow!

Cyndi said...

gloodge. What a cool word. I will have to start using it. But I can't think of other uses. Tomato gloodge is about it.

cookiecrumb said...

Nancy: I'm a fan of cast iron, but most of the stuff I use lately is enamel coated.
Be right over to read your post.

Kudzu: You are right! I knew that, in the cobwebby back of my mind. Thanks for the reminder. Seems like you'd get the right amount of tomato that way.

Zoomie: I predict you will like this. Did you catch Kudzu's recipe revision?

Cyndi: I fear it's a bit rude, even for tomatoes, but you are welcome to use the word! :)

Anonymous said...

it is a fairwell to tomatoes, afairwell to summer...I can't part from them either

Anonymous said...

love tomatoes too. It's hard to say goodbye.

Hungry Dog said...

Yeah. We ate a lot of this in barcelona. But why not since we've been home? We have bread, olive oil, garlic and sea salt here. And as you point out, tomato season is till upon us.

Zoomie said...

Thanks to Kudzu, as I don't have a box grater. Mmm-mmm, lunch!

cookiecrumb said...

Soti: So we must drench ourselves in tomatoes for a few days longer.

Hungry Dog: Like, you hadn't thought of eating this at home? I wonder if it will be as magical as it was in Barcelona.

Zoomie: Kind of gray and drizzly out there. Hope your lunch brightens your day!

Zoomie said...

I wouldn't be surprised if that's what brought the sun out.

cookiecrumb said...

Zoomie: That's a nice thought. Weird weather. Please keep eating these so we'll get a little sun!

Anonymous said...

It's mid October, but for some reason this year I refuse to stop enjoying tomatoes... actually maybe it is because the season was ruined here due to excessive heat.

still, great idea for my ongoing tomato-craving

cookiecrumb said...

SallyBK: Keep going as long as you can. We are buying a big box of tomatoes tomorrow for making sauce to last through the winter. October... Such a strange month.

Greg said...

Tomatoes...I got em and follow orders. Particularly yummy orders.

Southern Cookie said...

Yum! That looks delicious to me! Going to have to save a few 'maters for this... or a nice chunky bruschetta.
My fall crop should be here in the next few weeks. Being in the Deep South, I had chance to start a 2nd batch for the fall. And you should see my broccoli, bok choi, & greens! HUGE!!! Wish you & the fans were closer so I could share the bounty and see what y'all could come up with and (hopefully) be inspired by.