My tomato obsession has led me to some unusual opportunities - two recent podcasts I was on

[NRaleighLiberal]

The first - Chris Long (former New England Patriot) contacted me as a tomato expert to discuss tomato as a fruit -

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/green-light-with-chris-long/id1485277290#episodeGuid=4287df9c-c5fd-11ea-80e7-67f4dd5c033d

Second - a mixed drink podcast - Modern Bar Cart - contacted me to discuss the science of tomatoes and applications to Bloody Mary.

https://www.modernbarcart.com/podcast/episode-155-breaking-bloody-part-1-the-tomato-man-cometh-craig-lehoulier

Today I got to do an Instagram Live with the chef at a Carrboro NC restaurant, Acme, and we live cooked a recipe together - viewable on the IG TV channel @acmecarrboro.

Little did I know that growing tomatoes for 40 years would lead to such curious tangents - but I am having quite a blast with it all!

Tomorrow is Friday, so as usual, I will be live - @nctomatoman - at 3 PM EST - giving a garden tour and taking and answering gardening questions.

[dawg day]

1. What fun! I bet you do make a great bloody mary

Can I ask a question? Elementary, I'm sure.

My mom always refrigerated tomatoes to "keep them fresh". So of course I did too. (Mama knows best.)

I do notice that they have no taste when they're cold. So... was Mama NOT right?

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. Refrigerating tomatoes seems to be a thing back in the day - my mom did as well

they came out mushy and tasting like metallic cooked tomato sauce

So they are best picked at about half to three quarters ripe and set on the kitchen counter to finish ripening - the heirloom beefsteak types don't have very long shelf lives, but are so good they don't need to survive very long!

I've got 129 plants - 129 different varieties - this year, and we are on the edge of harvest. Can't wait!

[dawg day]

5. I have a neighbor who grows several varieties, and she is very lucky

to have me to accept all the extras.

[MLAA]

3. Wow, I didn't know that!

I have several to pick tomorrow and put on the counter to finish up ripening. I was going to wait until they were super ripe. So glad I saw your post 🙂 🍅🍅🍅🍅 🍅

[abqtommy]

4. My Grandpa used to sprinkle sugar on his tomatoes. Not me. I'm a salt guy for tomatoes and

watermelon too...

[dawg day]

6. Me too-- watermelon too.

I used to slather mayo on them, but now that seems like overkill.

[diva77]

7. Will Brad's Atomic Tomatoes ripen more quickly off the vine? They are taking forever to soften up

(first time growing them). They aren't the best tasting tomatoes on the block, either. Hmmmm....

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. I think they have flavor and texture issues. not grown, but many gripes

[diva77]

9. I've decided the only way they are going to be edible is if they are battered and fried.

Thanks for that info - at least it's affirming

[CentralMass]

10. Congratulations on your excellent hobby and the notoriety that it has brought you.

I don't think I've found an edible tomato at the supermarket in years. I will put it on my list to grow some next season.

[grantcart]

11. I am most interested to know if a reasonably strong baseball arm

Say someone who had a terrific right fielder's arm 40 years ago could launch a tomato from Pennsylvania Ave to hit an object in the Rose Garden and what species would be the best for a full facial splat?

Asking for a friend.