By Kira Hamman

Canaan Valley, West Virginia

I have yet to meet anyone from West Virginia over the age of reason who does not know how to grow tomatoes.

Although this may be sampling error, since most of the people I know come from the same tiny, unincorporated town in which my family’s old homestead is located, I don’t think so.

I think it’s just part of the genetic code of West Virginians, who in spite of (or maybe because of) the national bigotry frequently directed at them are incredibly strong, self-reliant people. And what’s the point of self-reliance if you still have to buy your tomatoes at Kroger?

It’s not that everyone actually does grow their own tomatoes. It’s just that they Read the rest of this entry »

By Kira Hamman

Barcelona, Spain

How many kinds tomatoes are available in your market?

Three? Five? Ten?

In the mercats of Barcelona, there are dozens of varieties. Big tomatoes. Small tomatoes. Medium tomatoes. Teeny tiny tomatoes. Pink tomatoes. Black tomatoes. Green tomatoes. Pleated tomatoes. Speckled tomatoes.

You get the idea. It’s a tomato lover’s paradise, truly.

Of course, Barcelona is basically in a desert, so how do they do this? The answer is with very Read the rest of this entry »