If your garden is anything like mine, there are still plenty of fresh tomatoes to enjoy before the chill of fall settles in. No garden? Head out to your local produce stand and sample the heirloom varieties that are becoming popular. Why not have a simple TOMATO SALAD for lunch or dinner? Eat them alone or with some crisp cucumber slices.
Add just a drizzle of olive oil, salt and basil leaves (if desired). I like it at room temperature to get the best flavor from the tomatoes. You can also dice them and make a fresh SALSA by adding diced onion, diced green peppers (it’s up to you how hot you want them to be), and some chopped cilantro.
Celebrate nature’s bounty and enjoy TOMATOES!
Here’s a great picture book about tomatoes: LITTLE YELLOW PEAR TOMATOES by Demian Elaine Yumei
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24864.Little_Yellow_Pear_Tomatoes
Darlene Beck-Jacobson 
My backyard garden has produced a prolific supply of tomatoes this year. I learned to make marinara and salsa – though unfortunately all my cilantro died.
My kids have loved helping in the garden, and our reading about gardening and tomatoes led us to this beautiful picture book called Little Yellow Pear Tomatoes by Demain Elaine Yumei that explores all the kinds of life in the tomato garden. You’d love it. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24864.Little_Yellow_Pear_Tomatoes
The book sounds wonderful. I’ve added it to my TBR list! Thanks for recommending it Katey…it’s always good to hear from you.
I’ve been enjoying fresh tomatoes this year from my local farmers market instead of growing my own. Whenever I do grow tomatoes and it gets near the end of the season before the first frost, I pick all the green tomatoes, bring them in the house, put them in a paper bag, and they all eventually ripen in the bag. Some people like to cook the green tomatoes, but I can never get enough of the red ripe ones.
Even over-ripe ones are worthwhile. Those I freeze to use in soups throughout winter. Thanks for commenting Kathy.