Tomato X Infinity, 2022 Version • Deep Fried Kudzu

FGTs forever. That sign is from O’Hanlon’s in Geneva, Georgia, from 2017

Pursell Farms sent an email this week about its TomatoTaste dinner — it’s on August 7 this year, and starts at $429, which includes one night in the Inn, and a four-course supper including wine.

I’m taking this as a sign to do the second annual Tomato x Infinity post:

I love these pimento cheese – tomato stacks. No recipe needed: just layer the PC with slices of tomato.

If you’re also a fan of aspic, let’s talk. We need to stick together. This one, I made at home and served in little cups

These tomato, basil, mozzarella shells are the bessstttt

This tomato pie recipe is so crazy good

BLTs at The Tomato Place in Vicksburg

Fried green tomato, pimento cheese biscuit at the Loveless by the Trace outside Nashville

Amish-made tomato stakes, Etheridge TN

Nosherie at Old Town Stock House in Guntersville

Aspic at Walnut Hills in Vicksburg

When we’re kinda lazy, we make a chunky shakshuka at home with Rotel and tons of onion (and only egg whites because Shugie’s not a fan of yolks)

Hazelrig Orchard, Cleveland AL

Cleckler’s Produce Stand in Selma

Hot green tomato chow-chow at Dog Days Flea Market in Ardmore

huge sidenote: this is like when my friend who has a perpetually-perfect-magazine-shoot-ready home told me she shops yard sales because “surely nobody can afford all this from an antique store” and basically told me I needed to get over myself about not going to them (and she of course was right). Also: her mom for yearssss ran an absolutely incredible space at the top antique shop in Birmingham and while one is visualizing her European shopping trips, and the container arriving from overseas, the truth was that it was fine European antiques — sure — from the most fab yard and estate sales right here in town.

So, if one has an appreciation for cakes and confections and all kinds of canned items not found at the grocery store, it’s time to be frequenting farmer’s markets (and not necessarily the ‘fancier’ ones, though those certainly have their place) and flea markets, where the barrier to entry for the home cook and craftsperson is low. While we’re talking about it, flea markets are where those making spoons and rolling pins on a home lathe, those gathering materials and making baskets, quilters, gardeners with their enormous fruits and vegetables, beekeepers with their honey…I’m just going to have to make a flea market appreciation post. Yes, there is junk. Juuuunk. But we learned to love the flea market early in Covid when we wanted to be outside but still be around people, safely. And I’ve brought home gorgeous baskets and spoons and honey and other little treasures.

Farm stand, Cullman County

FGTs at Irondale Cafe (my least favorite because the breading is so thick (but if you like that almost tempura-like batter, this is your place!)); it’s the inspiration for Fannie Flagg’s Whistlestop Cafe book and movie

Canned chopped tomatoes at Spradlin Farm Stand in Cullman

Fried green tomatoes I make each year at Passover — the Jeff Nathan K-for-P panko is the best

Arrow sign for fruit stand in Hartselle

FGTs at the Bright Star in Bessemer

Craig Nutt‘s tomato table at the Columbus Museum in Columbus GA — if you know the giant flying corn at Concourse E at the Atlanta airport, that’s his, too