The warm summer sun has given us ripe, juicy tomatoes of many shapes, sizes and colours, and Earthwise Society will once again be celebrating the beauty and diversity of the heirloom tomato in all its glory.
This year’s annual Heirloom Tomato Fest takes place on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Earthwise Garden in Boundary Bay.
It will feature a colourful array of certified organic heirloom tomatoes, whose seeds have been carefully saved and handed down through the generations. Saving heirloom seeds allows us to experience the rich diversity of fruits and vegetables that have been part of our culinary history.
This year’s festival will feature a range of other heirloom vegetables in addition to tomatoes for those who would like to expand their culinary horizons.
For those who would like to learn how to save their own favourite seeds at home, this year’s event will include a hands-on Seed Saving Workshop at 11 a.m. with local seed enthusiast Ryan Thummel, who is back by popular demand. Space in the workshop will be limited, but you can register early to secure your spot.
Earthwise Society has invited several local chefs to offer heirloom tomato-based cooking demonstrations to show how tomatoes have been used in culinary traditions around the world. This year, Brazilian chef Rodrigo Prado will demonstrate how to cook with tomatoes to bring out their best flavour.
In addition, chefs from Roy’s Indian Cuisine in Tsawwassen will be showcasing a creative preparation of heirloom tomatoes with a flavourful Indian twist. Dalia of Tsawwassen’s Coastal Olive Oils will also be on hand to show the classic Italian pairing of fresh, perfectly ripe tomatoes with fine oils and vinegars.
This year’s Tomato Fest will also feature a special barn owl awareness activity centre offering displays and activities for families. Drop by to learn the story of Betty and Barney, Earthwise Society’s resident barn owls who have nested and raised their young at the Earthwise Barn for the past six years. To reflect the nocturnal habits of barn owls, kids will be able to create their own luminary paper lantern craft.
