The best tomatoes

Summer is the season for tomatoes. There are different varieties - like plum, cherry, vine-ripened,sun-ripened...

The best tasting ones are from the farmer's market that come straight to the market with no stops in between. I have found that roadside stalls that sell these tomatoes are better than anything else.

Tomato is like a staple unless one's health doesn't permit it in their diet. I have a zillion recipes to share. Here's a simple one that will store without a problem for several weeks.

Chop about 4 plum tomatoes or vine-ripened tomatoes in any shape you choose. Take a wok. Warm and then drop 2 tsps. of oil. Crackle half a tsp. of mustard seeds, add the chopped tomatoes, 2 tsps. of chilli powder, a pinch of asafetida and saute. Continue sauteing until most of the natural water evaporates. Add salt. Mix well and store. If you want to use this as a pickle and store it longer, add some 2 tsps. more of oil at the beginning and let it cook until the water evaporates completely. Store it in a bottle and make sure only dry spoons are used to serve.