Whittle: Sweet 'maters

By DAN WHITTLE

he long drawn-out days of picking and chopping cotton, we'd slip over into Momma Whittle's garden, and pluck a juicy red ripe 'mater.

If you had a pinch of salt in your pocket, the taste of those old home-grown 'maters exploded that much more in succulent lip-smacking taste.

To this day, when about to get a luscious vine-ripened 'mater, slathered abundantly with mayo on fresh white Bunny bread, it helps make life worth living.

Then, if Pat promises to add some crispy and crunchy bacon to the sandwich, that's when Whittle lips go to quivering in anticipation.

Do you get the idea I love t-o-m-a-t-o-e-s?

I spelled it out for some of the unlearned folks out at the university who were not aware of what a good farm-grown fresh off the garden vine plucked 'mater tastes like.

Cannon County Historical Society President Joe Davenport has a long history of 'mater-eating.

"I love sliced tomatoes with my meals," noted Mr. Davenport. "Sprinkle a pinch of salt on one, and it's a taste you can't duplicate. Although we lived in town, we always had some tomato plants."

Being a highly-educated man, the retired school teacher/superintendent knows where to find his favorite kind of 'mater.

In fact, he'll drive "miles and miles" to get his very most favorite species!

"I love the Heirlooms I find up in Scottsville, KY, Amish country," Dr. Davenport added. "I especially love the Cherokee Purple, with its juicy, rich flavor. Plus, it's a pretty tomato."

Jim Demos, Tennessee's iconic professional culinary man as in Demos Restaurants, sprouted up as a boy from a long genealogical line of 'mater eaters.

"I've finally found the tomato that tastes like the tomato my Grandmother had in her back yard 80 years ago," Demos traced his taste buds back in time. "They were nice and tart. The variety is Sioux and/or Sweet Sioux."

His favorite way of 'mater consumption: "The only way to eat a tomato after picking it from the garden, is to stand over the sink, with salt in your hand and eating it like an apple ... with juice running down your chin!"

Whowee, slap me silly!!

Former Woodbury Mayor Harold Patrick remem-bers tending the 'mater garden on the family farm in the Pleasant Ridge comm-unity.

"Brother Buford and I, while Daddy (White Patrick) worked as a policeman in Woodbury, tended the garden with mules," 'mater-eater Patrick recalled. "We must've growed 'em right, because we had nothing but biggo good 'maters back on the farm. As boys, we plowed 12 acres of corn, worked the tobacco with mules, plus the garden that had at least six rows of 'maters."

The best 'maters he ever threw past Patrick lips?

"It boils down to two sources ... the very best currently comes from Cannon County Courthouse Custodian James 'Pee Wee' Estes' garden each spring," the retired political man polled. "And may the Lord rest his good ol' soul you couldn't beat the 'maters grown by legendary county gardener C.L. Vickers. I recall a farm neighbor ordering 10 pounds of 'maters from ol' C.L., but C.L. quickly informed him he was not about to cut one of his 'maters for a mere 10 pounds."

Brother Buford loved the farm. Harold did not.

"When we moved to Woodbury in 8th grade, you could find me always hanging out at the pool hall, which beat the heck out of working those long-eared mules in the corn patch," Mr. Patrick plowed back in time. "Buford, now in his 70s, hated living in town, and now runs a farm with more than 200 head of cattle down at Petersburg."

As for my personal taste, like educator Davenport, I prefer the luscious juicy taste of the Cherokee Purple.

However, I love any 'mater that's homegrown compared to those dumbed-down tasteless 'maters you find in big chain grocery stores.

Some may describe those "store-bought" 'maters as progress, but progress doesn't always leave a good taste in your mouth.

Burp !!