With the change of the seasons, Floridians get one of the best gifts from the garden: beautiful, juicy tomatoes with a taste of sunshine in each delicious bite. 

If anyone tells you that good tomatoes don’t grow in Florida, prove them wrong with this easy salad that the divas make weekly in the winter after we visit Swank Specialty Produce at the Palm Beach Greenmarket. Swank heirloom tomatoes are grown hydroponically, a rainbow of beautiful colors with tender skin and a rich burst of flavor and a touch of sweetness.  

Just say no to anything but Florida-grown for the winter months. 

Heirloom Tomatoes and Bread Salad

Serves 6

• 4 heirloom tomatoes, cored and cut in wedges
• 1/2 day-old French baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, torn into pieces
• Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Toss tomatoes, bread and onions in serving bowl. 

Whisk together vinegar and olive oil. Pour over salad and let sit for 20 minutes at room temperature.

Just before serving, top with basil and season with salt and pepper.

Diva confession: Tomatoes hate cold. They love a warm spot, so never refrigerate – store them on a counter out of direct sunlight. Basil, too, loves a warm spot, so store on your counter in a glass of water (change water daily). To keep it moist, cover with a plastic bag, but make sure air still circulates. 

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