Memorial Day and A Taste of Summer

Memorial Day is an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May. It honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. To many it’s also considered the unofficial start of summer.
A time when seasonal produce starts growing strong and the farmers markets are far from scarce. A time to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family and grilling season comes into play. Nothing like serving up refreshing summer salads filled with fresh flavors alone or as a side dish to complement any BBQ.

My love for Village Farms tomatoes is real with so many different vibrant and delicious types to choose from. With just the right amount of sweet and savory to level out my taste buds they are extremely versatile and filled with many health benefits. They are rich in lycopene and full of other essential nutrients and antioxidants. So really what’s not to love?
When choosing tomatoes I make sure they are firm and deeply colored with a sweet earthy smell. I store them at room temperature and lay the larger tomatoes stem side down. This helps to keep the tomato fresher longer. I let them ripen so they are slightly soft, juicy and bursting with flavor in my dishes. One of my all-time favorite tomato pairings is avocado. The sweetness of the tomato with the creaminess of the avocado creates a medley of goodness. Nothing like a good slice of toasted sour dough with mashed avocado and ripe tomato.
Village Farms True Rebel Mix® tomatoes are just right because they contain a mix of 4 to 6 exclusive varieties each with a distinct shape and flavor and they create a beautiful and colorful presentation. They are greenhouse grown and hand-picked so each one is simply perfect.

This Grilled Corn, Tomato & Avocado salad with hemp seeds screams everything summer and is filled with refreshing flavors. The smokiness of the grilled corn, the citrusy burst of the lime, the fresh cool flavor of the cilantro and the nuttiness of the hemp seeds combined with the sweet tomato and creaminess of the avocado create a luscious burst of mouthwatering goodness.

Grilled Corn, Tomato & Avocado Salad with Hemp Seeds

1 1/2 cups Village Farm True Rebel Mix Tomatoes halved or sliced 1/2 inch pieces
1 slightly firm avocado cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 ear of grilled corn shucked
juice of one lime
2 – 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp. hulled hemp seeds
large bunch of cilantro chopped
1/4 cup red onion or shallot chopped
Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste.

Toss tomatoes, corn and red onion with hemp seeds, cilantro, lime juice and olive oil until combined. Fold in the avocado and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well so all the flavors incorporate together and store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Can also be stored for 3-4 days in an air tight container.