RIPE ... HEIRLOOM TOMATOES

THE flavour of the tomato is most intense at summer's end, when the fruit is sun-ripened. Many are available, from field and roma to cherry and hydroponic, but heirloom varieties are increasing in popularity, thanks in part to the community's focus on quality produce. Heirloom refers to varieties grown and sold before 1960. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours, and taste far superior to red, round, commercial varieties. They are sweeter and juicier with meatier flesh, and can be found at markets and specialist grocers, or as seeds purchased from Digger's Club in Dromana (nine colours are available), and grown in pots. Try the beefy Black Krim, striped Tigerella, flavoursome Black Russian and sweet, pear-shaped, mini-sized numbers in vivid colours. Slow-roast a selection and add to a salad of feta, olives and olive oil. TESSIE VANDERWERT

FICTION

Blood Red Quintin Jardine Headline, $32.99 The Black Russian Lenny Bartulin Scribe, $27.95 The Egyptologist Arthur Phillips Scribe, $29.95 Rupture Simon Lelic Picador, $32.99

1854

Turkish forces were called into Europe to resist the Tsar of Russia whose troops had occupied Moldavia and Wallachia the previous July. The Turks crossed the Danube in four places and established themselves at Kalafat. They then pushed forward, forcing the Russians to retreat at Slatma. Between Slatma and Krajowa, the Russian commander, General Dannenberg - who had already tasted defeat at the hands of the Turks - had 30,000 to 40,000 troops covering the road to Bucharest. The Turkish forces in Lesser Wallachia, on the right flank of the Russian army, had about 12,000 men but they were expecting reinforcements.

Kremlin lashes out

RUSSIA has attacked a US decision to site interceptor missiles in Romania, saying the move imperils President Barack Obama's much-vaunted "reset" of relations between the two countries and the final stages of nuclear arms reduction talks.