Tantalizing Tomatoes

Versatile and tasty, tomatoes will bring your summer menus to life.
When juicy, flavorful Northeast-grown tomatoes start arriving to us, we know that our region’s peak growing season is in full swing. Tomatoes were one of the first crops we began sourcing from local farmers way back in 1932, and some of the many mouthwatering varieties on offer each year still come from farms here in the Northeast.

Choose sturdy Beefsteaks if you’re looking for big, thick slices for summer burgers and BLTs. Bite-size cherry and grape varieties make great snacks and offer sweet bursts of flavor in quick pasta sauces. Fleshy, oval-shaped Romas are the tomatoes to select for long-cooked dishes, as they create richer, thicker sauces; they’re also a great choice for topping pizza or bruschetta. Tomatoes harvested on the vine tend to have fuller flavor and a deeper red color, making them ideal for salads or sandwiches. Available in hues ranging from vivid yellow to dark purplish-green, delicate Heirloom tomatoes should be served as simply as possible to highlight their unique beauty and flavors.

From the Syracuse area to Central Massachusetts, we’re proud to source the best tomatoes our region has to offer, from farms we’ve been partnering with for decades. We’re big on local produce whether it’s grown in the fields of our farming partners—or on the sunny patios of our shoppers! When growing your own tomatoes at home in a pot or other container, using a premium potting mix is your best bet. Potted plants need to be watered more frequently than those grown in the ground, so keep an eye on them. Make sure the soil is always moist (but not soggy) and never let it dry out completely. Check your local Price Chopper or Market 32 for our 10″ caged patio tomato plants that are seeded and grown here in the Northeast.

Crazy about Corn

>
Some fun facts about growing corn: Planted corn thrives when the soil temperature reaches 60ºF—two to three weeks after the last frost of spring is a good estimate. Depending on the variety and the amount of heat during the growing season, corn takes between 60 to 100 days until it’s ready to be harvested. It grows well in air temperatures from 60ºF up to as hot as 95ºF. We source sweet corn from a variety of farms in our region each summer, including Shaul Farms in Fultonham, NY, as well as Paul Mazza Farms in Essex, VT, and Plainville Farm in Hadley, MA,—some of the best in the corn-growing game.

With summer in full swing, you’ll want to fire up the grill, and a lot of delicious recipes start with perfectly grilled corn. Here’s a method that’s a favorite of our local farmer partners. First, pull the husks down and remove all of the silk. Soak the ears in water for one hour. Drain them, pull the husks back up and tie the tops with a strip of husk or twine. Place the ears on a grill over hot coals (or low flame), and roast them slowly for 20 to 25 minutes. The result? Kernels bursting with sweet juice and nutty flavor.

For crowd-pleasing Mexican street corn, slather those grilled cobs with a mixture of finely-crumbled Cotija cheese (or feta), Mexican crema (or sour cream), mayonnaise, chopped fresh cilantro and chili powder. Garnish with extra cheese and freshly-squeezed lime, and serve. Alternatively, you can slice the kernels off the grilled cobs and blend with the mixture to turn it into an easy-to-eat side salad. For a simple, summery main dish, break ears of corn into thirds and thread them onto skewers along with sliced smoked sausage and your favorite fresh veggies. Brush with Italian dressing and grill to perfection.

We’ve been partnering with local farms since 1932, and it’s because of their hard work that we’re able to offer fresh, regional produce in our stores each year. Whichever way you choose to enjoy your sweet corn this summer, make sure to stop by your Price Chopper or Market 32 for the freshest ears around.

5 Finger Foods for Easy Summer Appetizers

Finger foods are the perfect kickoff to any summer gathering. In the summertime, the simpler the preparation, the better. Whether for picnics, barbeques or soirées, enjoy these uncomplicated, warm-weather foods all summer long, with no utensils required!

1. Elevated Deviled Eggs
A huge hit at any gathering, deviled eggs are packed with protein and allow you to showcase an array of creative, flavorful filling combinations. Start with our Taco Deviled Eggs recipe for a Mexican twist, or take traditional deviled eggs to the next level with additions like mustard, bits of bacon, green onions or salad shrimp. Spice up the filling mixture with a dash of sriracha, hot sauce or harissa.

2. Drool-Worthy Dips
Any dip you can dream up provides the perfect vehicle for enjoying finger food favorites – from fries, crackers and chips to pretzels, veggies and more. Keep things classic with spinach and artichoke dip or buffalo chicken dip. Or feature seasonal produce to create Mexican street corn dip or our creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Dip using fresh endive and jicama dunkers for dipping.

3. Craveable Crostini
Crostini are easy to make and personalize; toast baguette slices and adorn them with an array of toppings. Create caprese crostini with tomato, mozzarella, basil and balsamic glaze, or make them sweet by topping with peak-season peaches and a drizzle of honey.

4. Summer Skewers
What’s better than serving up your favorite proteins, fruits and veggies on a stick? Skewers are simple to prep, make eating fun (especially for kids) and can be mixed and matched to suit different palates. Try combinations like grilled chicken, red onion and plums, or shrimp, zucchini and pineapple. Pair them with different dipping sauces or dressings.

5. Stuffed Everything!
Stuffed creations are perfect pop-in-your-mouth finger foods. Whether it’s hummus-stuffed cherry tomatoes, jalapeño poppers filled with a rich, creamy center or goat cheese-stuffed and bacon-wrapped dates, countless bases await easy, mouthwatering stuffings.

S’mores are classic campfire treats that excite kids and adults alike. The exact origin of this fire-roasted, chocolatey confection with melty marshmallows is unclear, but some reports date them back as early as 1925, when they debuted as popular Boy and Girl Scout treats.

Whether you prefer the traditional version or have a more sophisticated palate, indulge in these creative combinations on National S’mores Day (August 10^th) and all summer long.

Next time you’re sitting around the campfire, give these s’mores a try:

• Graham Crackers + Bacon or Candied Bacon + Chocolate Toffee Bar + Marshmallow
• Oatmeal Cookies + Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup + Grape Jelly + Marshmallow
• Lemon Biscuits + Raspberries + Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup + Marshmallow
• Pretzel Chips + Apple Slices + Caramel-Filled Candy Bar + Marshmallow
• Gingersnaps + Pineapple Slices + Coconut-Almond Candy Bar + Marshmallow