Alan Lazarus, the executive chef and co-owner of Vespaio and Enoteca Vespaio on South Congress Avenue in Austin, had 20-some pounds of tomatoes sitting on his kitchen table when I stopped by his house for breakfast. There were still more stacked on all the window sills. We had huevos in homemade ranchero sauce with sliced purple heirloom tomatoes and sliced giant beefsteak tomatoes on the side.
Alan and I have been friends for more than 20 years. I have always been amazed by the man’s gardening skills. Before I left his house, he filled up my cooler with 3 kinds of tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cukes and baby ears of corn. I passed on the Mexican marigold mint, sorrel, squash, and beets he pulled out of the garden while I watched.
Alan said that this has been the best year for gardening he’s seen in many years, so enjoy it while you can!
Tomato pie!
Jealousy, thy name is Janet!! Lucky guy you are.