Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Prepare for the Tomato Influx!

  


Just like the inevitable tide of zucchini that starts this time of year...tomato crops are coming in strong and you might find yourself being offered a few tomatoes by a friendly co-worker or relative. Tomatoes are definitely a CE treat sliced on top of burgers, on salads, and mixed into a veggie stir-fry. But what else can you do with a tomato?

1. Check out George Washington Carver's 115 Ways to Serve a Tomato list. This list of simple tomato preparations has stood the test of time - and was created WAAAY before the advent of processed foods. Most if not all of these recipes are simple, straightforward - and Clean. ( Note: the list starts 1/2 way down the page, after the "How to Grow" section.

2. Make your own ketchup:
  • 1/2 bushel of ripe tomatoes, paced
  • 1 quart vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1/2 pint of salt
  • 2 tablespoons black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cloves
  • 2 tablespoons allspice
  • 1 tablespoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Cook the tomatoes until very soft; press through a fine sieve to remove the seed, return to the kettle, and cook as thick as you desire the ketchup. Now add all the other ingredients; cook 10 or 15 minutes longer; pour into sterilized bottles and cork tightly. No further sealing is necessary; it will keep for years.

3. My husband's favorite: stuff them with rice: Giada's Stuffed tomatoes.


 
I'm SURE my husband's interest in this recipe has NOTHING to do with his infatuation with Giada...

4. Make your own salsa - chop tomatoes, peppers ( hot or mild ), onions, cilantro, lime - there are thousands of recipes online for salsa, thousands of permutations that will freeze well!