Of all the fruit and vegetable cultivated in the garden , nothing symbolise the grower ’s dedication quite like the initiatory plump red tomato . Tomato plantscan present a number of challenges to gardeners and farmers , from growing unconvincing and leggy early in the time of year to attracting pesky thieves once its still - maturate unripe yield appears . But all the trouble is forgotten when a truly right , sun - warmed tomato plant unfreeze volitionally from a vine and into the grower ’s hand . For many admirers and gatherer of the yield , the first flavorful bit of a homegrown Lycopersicon esculentum is the epitome of the summer time of year . Nothing from a grocery store get along tight .
Ubiquitous as flies during the previous summer calendar month , tomatoes are expose like prizes in an array of color , Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and varieties on farmers ’ market board . grow tomatoes becomes a hobby for many farmers who compile the heirloom variety . Tomato devotee should hurry to use up every last tomato before the vine inevitably shrivel up . There ’s nothing wrong with yourbasic salsa formula , but here are a few additional ways to employ up — and conserve for winter ’s dull and dreary day — your tomato harvest time .
1 . Canned Crushed TomatoesEven minimalist Cook reach into the pantry on a unconstipated basis for a can of diced or smash tomato plant , no matter what the time of year . Crushed or whole tomatoes are of the essence for making a prospicient list of some of the most canonical American foods , from chilies and stews to chutneys and salsas to gumbo and marinara sauce . While it ’s not the most originative agency to maintain your tomatoes , canning summertime tomato will examine extremely resourceful in the months before .
After cutting out the core and ejaculate , parboil a large batch — at least 3 pounds to make your efforts worthwhile — of your tomatoes toremove the skin . Heat your love apple to a furuncle , and then simmer for 10 minutes ( for hot backpacking ) , crush with a spoonful . compact them tightly in a dry pint jar with some of the hot urine and a tablespoonful each of maize juice and salt per jolt , leave 1/2 inch head room . Process in a pee - bath canner for 35 minutes .
2 . Tomato AspicChilled jelly salad are passed - down southerly traditions that add a fresh chill to a summertime luncheon . Falling into this genre of country foods , tomato aspic can be a delightful and unexpected substitute for a salad , peculiarly when made with new tomato succus . Search for a favorite formula online , or better yet , detect one in a overtake - down cookery book .
3 . Stewed Tomatoes and OkraFor the simplest of summertime side dishes , look no further than a collection of ripe tomato , peeled and core . In a skillet or saucepan , prepare an onion in vegetable oil on medium until it ’s semitransparent . supply in the tomatoes with fresh chop gumbo , and simmer on low until the tomatoes break apart . After sprinkle with salt and pepper , serve up alongside or on top of any steak , volaille or angle off the grill or spoon over a bed of brown Elmer Reizenstein .
4 . Chili SauceMany Americans have a go at it the love apple for its role as the al-Qaeda ingredient for the widely ingest condiment ketchup . With all that sugar and acetum to block out the flavor of the tomato , many Americans barely notice the tomato ’s presence in store - grease one’s palms cetchup . Play up the role of the tomato with your own homemade chilly sauce , a chunky , active version of ketchup . Trythis recipefrom the Ball Jars website , FreshPreserving.com .
5 . Tomato CobblerA pan of berry with a sugary crust is considered a dessert , but a pan of peel tomatoes with a piquant crust is dinner . A savory country - style tomato shoemaker is a satisfying and speedy weeknight dinner party solution .
To make the deep-dish pie topping , dice 1/2 loving cup of moth-eaten butter and crumble with your finger into a bowl of 1½ cup flour , 1 teaspoonful salt and 1 teaspoon bake powder . impart in 1/4 cup buttermilk and continue to massage in the trough . append 1 quart of tomatoes , disrobe and cored , to a buttered baking beauty ( 8 - in square ) . Sprinkle with unfermented chopped sweet basil , a dash of salt and a teaspoonful of cornflour for node , and then stir to meld . Top with piece of the rolled - out dough . Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minute of arc , or until crust is golden and tomato plant are bubbling .
6 . Tomato JamJust like its sweeter relatives , the love apple can cook down into a delicious gelled consistence . A smoky tomato plant jam can be partner off with cheese or lathered on baked chicken bosom or pork peach for added tone . Trythis recipefrom Marisa McClellan at FoodInJars.com .
7 . Pickled Green TomatoesWhen a frost threatens to close out your tomato harvesting , believe pick those fleeceable tomatoes for a spicy collation . make your brine by boiling 4 cups white acetum , 3 cups shekels , and pickling spice , such as mustard seeds and celery seeds . Pack 3 pounds slit green love apple into dry pint jars with sweet peppers , jalapeño Piper nigrum and thinly sliced onions . Pour the brine over , impart 1/2 in foreland space , and appendage in a piddle - tub canner for 15 transactions .
8 . Roasted Tomato SoupCook up a timeless comfort solid food from your childhood with tomatoes from your own garden . Core , source and peel of a quart of tomatoes , moisten them with oil , and roast in the oven for 15 second in a high - heating oven . Meanwhile , in a Dutch oven , sauté two whole clove of Allium sativum , one small diced onion plant and desired spices ( such as basil or bay leaves ) until softened . Add roast tomatoes and 1 to 2 cups of water , depending on your desired thickness , and simmer until all vegetables are cranky . Blend in a food processor or with an immersion blender until smooth , then reheat and enjoy .
10 . Mac ‘ n ’ TomatoesThe wedding of alimentary paste and tomato is a beautiful one , but it does n’t have to be elaborate . Replace your children ’s coveted macaroni and cheese with a bowl of macaroni and stewed tomato plant , perhaps with a slight Parmesan shaved on the top . This hefty luncheon will also introduce your Thomas Kid to tomatoes in their most basic , lifelike form and flavor .
Find more uses for your tomato harvest home from HobbyFarms.com :
