Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes have a unique purple tint

I grew up in Central Illinois where tomatoes are King from mid-June through August. Big, juicy, sweet beef steak tomatoes held their own on plates against big, juicy steaks and sometimes were eaten straight out of the field.

When I moved to Texas I soon realized that growing delicious, juicy tomatoes was a lot harder.

Why? The bigger breeds of tomatoes need 70 degree nights to set fruit. We don't have a lot of those nights here in North Texas (I vote with the tomatoes....I'd like a lot more 70 degree nights!)

So I've had to adjust my tomatoe expectations to heirloom tomatoes (that's a future column) and grape tomatoes. Heck, back in Illinois we didn't even know what a grape tomato was! But here in North Texas, several varieties grow really well, both in summer and fall.

One of those varieties was featured at the La Esperanza Farm booth last Saturday. Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes. I bought a basket and proceeded to give several to my husband to chomp on at the market and I downed 3 or 4. Wow! They were great....sweet with a bit of spice underneath. Definitely snack tomatoes! When I went back to buy another basket (because we were eating them too fast to use them in the dish we planned) La Esperanza was sold out! Lesson learned: the good stuff goes fast at a local farmers market!

So...if you make it home without eating all of your Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes from La Esperanza Farm's booth, here's a recipe to make a light, fresh pasta sauce with them.

Tarragon Cream Sauce with Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes

3 TBSP Texas Olive Ranch Olive Oil (available at Olives and Oils Booth)

3 cloves garlic

1/2 yellow onion, diced

20 Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes

4 TBSP Sour Cream

1/8 ounce Tarragon (may substitute basil)

The tomatoes will burst open when they're ready

Heat the olive oil on medium until hot. Add garlic and onions and saute for 3-5 minutes. Add chocolate cherry tomatoes and saute until the tomatoes break open. Smash the tomatoes into the olive oil mixture. Add sour cream one TBSP at a time. Add tarragon.

We drizzle the sauce and tomatoes over bow tie pasta and serve.

Texas Olive Ranch Arbequina olive oil makes every dish better!

Calling All FRFM Supporters - Last Chance to Put Your Business Logo on Our 2018 T-Shirt!

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Be a Market Volunteer!

Need service hours for your company or organization? Need service hours for community service or your school? Volunteer and have fun at The Frisco Rotary Farmers Market each week!

What's Fresh in May at the FRFM?

The following items will be available at the markets in May (tasting allowed!):

Blackberries, Blueberries, Figs, Melons, Peaches, Strawberries

Basil, Mint

Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Beans, Greens (Chard, Mustard), Leeks, Potatoes, Onions, Okra, Peppers, Radishes, Squash, Tomatoes, Turnips

Vendor Profile:

La Esperanza Farm

Mimi and Kierra from La Esperanza Farm

Every Saturday customers at the Frisco Rotary Farmers Market are drawn to the mounds of fresh produce at the La Esperanza Farm booth.

When they look up from the bounty they are greeted with big smiles from Jasmine Diaz and her booth helpers Mimi and Kierra.

Esperanza Farm's lush fields

Jasmine's family has been farming their 80 acres in Nevada, TX for 45 years.

"We practice only organic methods," Jasmine says proudly.

One of the benefits of shopping for food at local farmers markets is that the customer gets to meet the folks that grow their food. Jasmine turns that into a true relationship. Not only does she remember all of her customers' names, but also what's going on in their lives and their favorite produce items.

The farm is a family business with everyone helping with harvest.

"I love learning about my customers," says Jasmine. "It helps me provide better service!"

And it shows! Recently a customer walked up to the La Esperanza booth and Jasmine immediately shared with her that the larger tomatoes would not be in until the next week. She knew that the woman was chomping at the bit to make her "special recipe" using large tomatoes from La Esperanza.

Squash blossoms at La Eperanza Farm

The combination of unique produce items, organic growing methods and supreme customer service make La Esperanza Farm a great shopping experience for Frisco Rotary Farmers Market customers.

Parking at the FRFM

As the market moves into the heavy North Texas fruit and veggie season we see more people at each market...and more people bring more cars! We are looking at options to open up parking spots in and around the market.

Remember, there is usually parking on Main Street before 10:00 a.m.

The Depot is also offering free parking for market customers who eat breakfast or lunch at The Depot. Thank you to the Depot for their support of the Frisco Rotary Farmers Market!

Visit the Rotary Club of Frisco Booth at Every Market!

Big Jim Sticker

Pick Up Your FREE Limited Edition Big Jim the K Bar K Bull Sticker! Coming soon ...next in our sticker series: Little Buck the Buck Creek Ranch lamb!

Little Buck Sticker

We also have a bottomless cup of coffee for $1.50 and bottled water for $1.00. Stroll the market and stay hydrated!

We can answer your questions about the Frisco Rotary Farmers Market, the vendors at the market and the Rotary Club of Frisco. Stop by and say hi!