Uncle Antone’s Fresh Tomato Salad

Salads, Sides, Snacky StuffOctober 11, 2012Comments: 2
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Fresh Tomato Salad

I saw these beautiful, colorful baby Heirloom tomatoes at the market the other day and fresh homegrown tomatoes always make me think of my Uncle Antone Hyrynk.  He lived in Bremond, Texas between Calvert and Kosse outside of Waco and is one of the most memorable people in my whole life. My Uncle Antone had a farm and he would bale hay, grow crops and also work for the county driving a grader. He and my Aunt Lillie would be up before dawn and work all day long, and then be in bed before 10pm.  Sunday was always about going to their Catholic church and back home for a big early supper of fried chicken, fresh purple hull peas with bacon, green beans,mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade biscuits, fresh tomato salad and fresh peach cobbler.  It’s just how people ate back then.

My Uncle Antone was quite the character, always telling jokes and pulling pranks on everyone…and was one of the most genuine people I know.  He is the true persona of a Texan, IMO, a family man, church goer, honest, hard working, a straight shooter and a square dealer. He had one of the most gorgeous smiles that lit up his whole face, his skin was dark leather brown with deep crows feet lines from working in the sun all those years and you couldn’t miss his bright beautiful blue eyes. And he was always smiling…. I can still his face after loosing him years ago… I truly adored that man.  There goes my heart.  Sorry…this is about tomatoes…but food is about memories too.

Anyway, Uncle Antone and Aunt Lillie would grow an acre of tomatoes some years and when my kids were little they would help pick them .   Great memories…and all this from tomatoes!!  That homegrown flavor is so distinctive and this salad has it all.

Fresh Tomato Salad

Fresh Tomato Salad

Uncle Antone’s Fresh Tomato Salad

  • Prep time:
  • Cook time:
  • Total time:
  • Yield: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy

Ingredients:

  • Assorted heirloom tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, basil, parsley, thyme…
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon or vinegar
  • 1 jar capers
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup celery with leaves, sliced
  • 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

  2. Just look at how gorgeous and colorful those little tomatoes are!  I just had to get them when I saw them.  If you can’t find these beautiful babies, just buy different colors of the regular size and quarter or cube them. I used basil and thyme from my garden, but you can use anything you like.  Parsley and celery leaves are good as well.  This salad is fresh and pops with all these different flavors and the vinaigrette.  Perfect anytime.

  4. Slice baby tomatoes in half  and put in a large bowl, then add herbs, onion, 2 Tbs capers with liquid.  Salt and pepper well.  In a small bowl, add garlic, juice of 1/2 lemon or 1 Tbs vinegar and oil.  Whisk well and pour over salad.

  5. Get your prettiest platter out and carefully place your salad on it.  Top with herbs.  Makes an outstanding presentation!! And it’s delicious.

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Comments: 2

  1. wadfw October 12, 2012 at 11:36 am

    Love reading the story about your family. Food is always linked to good family memories. This looks great and it’s something I’m going to try, maybe with some grilled fish?

    • Carolyn October 13, 2012 at 11:11 pm

      I’m sure that would be great. The flavors in this tomato salad are very bright and fresh…I just ate the whole thing by itself for lunch…LOL.