The Year of the Tomato Wars

My neighbor Frank and I have competed for the biggest tomato on our block for six summers. It began as a joke over the fence. It has escalated.

We have both purchased special fertilizers. We have both talked to our plants. Frank once played Italian opera for his tomato vines; I countered with jazz. We weigh the champions on a kitchen scale at the end of August in front of a small crowd of neighbors who take it far too seriously.

This year I won, with a two-pound, three-ounce Brandywine. Frank shook my hand, then immediately invited everyone over for BLTs made with both of our tomatoes.

Honestly, that's the best part. Every year it ends at Frank's picnic table with sandwiches, sticky fingers, and planning for next year's rematch. I'd lose every year if it meant those sandwiches.