FROM the FARM: Merrillville priest glad for goulash column

Phil Potempa's weekly farm column recipe.

FROM the FARM: Goulash a short recipe with a long history

"Goulash" is the Hungarian version of a stew with beef as the primary meat, using rice or noodles as the thickening ingredient rather than potatoes.

FROM the FARM: Goulash a short recipe with a long history

Phil Potempa's weekly farm column recipe.

FROM the FARM: Time to use final garden tomatoes

As soon as the first cold snap happens, my mom is ready with her ages-old chili recipe for her traditional Monday night cool weather menu favorite.

Heirloom veggies deliver flavor, authenticity

As recently as a decade ago, the word "heirloom" was used to describe jewels, furniture or handicrafts — one-of-a-kind items of uncommon quality or design — that were passed down by families over generations. Now, that tag is just as frequently attached to vegetables, fruit and flowers.

Every heirloom vegetable

Chianti Rose heirloom beefsteak tomato

Every heirloom vegetable comes with a story. Maybe that’s why more gardeners are seeking out these time-tested survivors and championing their cause.

Many gardeners have heard the story of the Three Sisters. It describes an old growing method practiced by Native Americans, who planted corn, beans and squash together to support one another and grow a bounty of vegetables with minimal water or external supports. The tall corn stalks support…

Jerry Soukal Sr. and Jerry Soukal Jr. and Tomato Plants

Jerry Soukal Sr. (left) and his son Jerry Soukal Jr. at Soukal Floral and Greenhouses at 6118 S. Archer Ave. in Chicago.

Jerry Jr. and Jerry Sr. Soukal of Soukal Floral and Greenhouses

Jerry Soukal Jr. (front) and his father Jerry Soukal Sr. have continued the family's 95-year tradition, taking pride in growing and selling prized tomato plants at Soukal Floral and Greenhouses at 6118 S. Archer Ave. in Chicago.

Tomatoland

Author Barry Estabrook's new book "Tomatoland" explores how modern industrial agriculture is destroying the taste and nutritional value of the world's favorite sweet and savory ripe and ready fruit.

Homegrown food is safer, cheaper, and pretty easy

Red and Green

RED AND GREEN - - A bounty of tiny Roma tomatoes along with a few nestled green bell peppers from Philip Potempa's family farm are shown displayed at a recent event, along with a selection of the Times columnist's father Chester's homemade birdhouses. Roma and Plum tomato varieties are used …

Gardeners urged to check tomato plants

Late blight of tomato, a serious plant disease caused by a fungus-like organism, has been found in Indiana for the second straight year, according to Purdue University plant pathologists.

FROM the FARM: International flavorful recipe is local's kitchen engineering feat

Phil Potempa's weekly farm recipe column.

Ready to Bake

READY TO BAKE - - Stuffed Tomatoes are shown ready to bake. The recipe from Luca Redaelli, who originally hails from Italy and now lives in Valparaiso, Ind.,is one of his family favorites.