It’s one of those funny little sayings that’s known all around the world. Yes, some of us say “Tomato” differently, but we all mean the same thing. Those juicy bright red fruits (yes, fruit !!) that we just love to eat. I know I do !!!
Which is a good thing as at the moment we have so many tomatoes ripening all at once, so we’re getting really creative with how we use them.
When growing your own produce you’ll find at times there’ll be an abundance of fresh fruit and veggies coming out of the garden. It’s such a great feeling to harvest so many bowls of fresh home-grown food, but the trick is how to enjoy it all.
Here’s a few of my ideas….
- GET CREATIVE..
Ask friends for recipes, or better still ask your Mum or Grandparents. They’ll have some great ideas on how to use fresh produce (I’ve included one of my Nana’s old recipes below) Search the net, dig through old recipe books and read blogs (like mine) as you’ll always find a great idea you hadn’t thought of.
- PLAN MEALS..
This really helps me use the fresh produce we have to it’s maximum potential. Plan meals around what’s growing seasonally. This is a great way to save time and money. Have a read of this blog HERE, which includes my weekly meal planner.
- SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY..
One reason we are blessed with abundant crops is to be able to share with others who don’t have fresh fruit and veggies growing. It’s also a great opportunity to swap with friends who are growing different things than you. Wrap gifts of produce in brown paper, or place in baskets or bottle and preserve and share with friends. All these would make lovely Christmas gifts.
A few recipes…
Here’s my garden fresh tomato sauce (great for pasta dishes, stews, soups or pizza topping)
1 onion diced
2 cloves garlic chopped
tablespoon oil
about 700g fresh ripe tomatoes
Place oil in pan to warm and add onion and garlic. Stir until tender and add tomatoes. Add about 150mls water.
Bring to a low boil, reduce heat and simmer until tomatoes are soft. (about 15 mins)
Either puree in blender, use a Bamix or other food processor to blend well. We cook our sauce in the Thermomix and it’s delicious !!
Can be used immediately or frozen for later use.
If you have plenty of tomatoes you could make a large batch and freeze in separate containers ready to use as needed.
To add flavour try fresh basil, thyme, oregano or marjoram and lemon scented myrtle leaves add a nice citrus flavour to the sauce.
My Nana’s Tomato Sauce - (in old imperial measurements converted)
10 pounds (approx. 4.5kg) tomatoes
1 oz (approx. 28g or half to one whole bulb) garlic
1/4lb (approx. 113g ) dried peppercorns
1/4lb (approx. 113g) whole spice
1/4lb (approx. 113g) cloves
Boil together for two hours and strain through fine colander. (not sure if they really need to boil for that long, but that’s what she’s written !!)
Then add 1/2lb (approx. 226g) sugar
1/4lb (approx. 113g) salt
a small teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 pint (approx. 425mls) vinegar. If too thick add a little more vinegar
Boil gently for two hours.
Bottle and store in cool, dark cupboard.
This would taste so much nicer than the tomato sauce found at the supermarket !!
I hope these tips have been helpful with all the delicious produce you’re harvesting from the garden.
Enjoy !!!
Cath ♥
© cath manuel 16 november 2012
