Polka-Dotted Pears

You’ve likely heard of rainbow trout and maybe even pinstriped pythons, but what about blue tomatoes? They may sound like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, but blue tomatoes really do exist! Researchers at Oregon State University have begun growing blue tomatoes by cross-pollinating domestic plants with wild varieties. The result is a tomato with the same dark blue pigment found in blueberries and blackberries. No doubt, spaghetti with blue sauce makes for great conversation. But equally certain is the fact that genetic engineering of our food supply is an increasingly controversial topic at many a dinner table. With so much tinkering going on with the basic make up of fruits and vegetables, it’s no mystery why so many of us are asking questions. Who can say what’s next — paisley pomegranates and polka-dotted pears? Only time will tell what fruits today’s food scientists will ultimately bear.

On the subject of fruit-bearing, Jesus had plenty to say. In today’s Gospel we read, “I tell…