Summer’s End Harvest – Swimming in Tomatoes?
Not sure how many of our Fierce Friends are gardeners, but I’ll bet several of you enjoy the pleasures of planting, weeding, harvesting and savoring the ‘fruits’ of your labors in the garden. Tomatoes technically are a fruit (I know, I know, don’t put them in the fruit salad) and right now there are lots of them on the vine or at your local farmer’s market. I need to keep reminding myself how much I will miss all this fresh goodness as I fight being overwhelmed by the sheer number (aka poundage) of tomatoes clamoring for my attention as they announce, with their gorgeous shades of red, yellow and yes – even green, their readiness to leave the vine.
What to do with all that luscious harvest all at once is not a new dilemma, but there are some great options that may be new to some of you. Other than canning or freezing them, here are few quick (dare I say less cumbersome?) ideas for using all that delightful bounty. I don’t think I can claim that these are less traditional as I have no doubt that many avid gardeners and farmers have been getting creative with their summer’s end tomatoes long before I started researching options.
There are many, many more recipes available but this is a Friday Five so….
Fried Green Tomatoes: These can be enjoyed both in the spring and the late summer/early fall. In the spring, when I can’t wait another day for a ripe tomato, I’ll bring in a couple of green tomatoes, slice them generously, dip them in egg wash, sprinkle with seasoned panko crumbs and fry them up in a skillet. The tang is definitely something to be savored. I have some tomatoes that just will not have enough time to ripen and look at those as a reward for all my hard work in the garden! Savoring green tomato at the start and finish of the season confirms that gardening is so worth the effort.
Garden Fresh Tomato Soup: This one is a life saver when the volume of tomatoes is at its peak. I can quarter the tomatoes, slice an onion and throw in whole garlic cloves, boil and strain and I have the best tasting tomato soup ever. I omit the sugar (even before El’s article on other uses for it) and add some fresh basil. You could use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth if you want to keep it vegetarian. I recommend doubling the recipe as it will go fast!
Green Tomato Pie (Sweet or Savory):
Sweet – This sweet version is one I haven’t tried yet but am quite sure, someone out there reading this has. Please let us know what you think of the dish. This recipe is from Taste of Home and it looks like a classic. Many commenters said they added raisins to the mix but in deference to El’s dislike of raisins, I chose the version in which they were not included.
Savory – This one looks even better than the sweet version. I can’t wait to try this pie. Mixed with onions and garlic, those tangy green tomatoes will make a meatless meal seem down right decadent! (Click on picture to see recipe, courtesy of WonkyWonderful.com)
Tomato Slice Appetizers: During the summer months, dinner can consist of tomato slices and fresh corn on the cob, there seriously is nothing better some days. This recipe below jazzes up the plain tomato slice and makes it worthy of an appetizer to serve for company. Choose a favorite marinade or mix up one of your own, (simple olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a few spices sprinkled in) and allow the generously cut tomato slices to sit in it for awhile. Sprinkle your cheese of choice – feta, bleu, cheddar, goat, mozzarella… and serve to your family and/or guests. I think a little toasted bread on the side sounds fabulous (and makes my mouth water a bit just talking about it!).
- Roasted Tomato Sauce: This last one is kind of like my tomato soup recipe – super easy and wonderfully delicious and can bring that mound of ripe tomatoes down to a manageable load very quickly. Instead of doing all the processing of the tomatoes before hand, quarter them, add in onions, garlic, basil, and fennel, whatever you like and roast the whole thing in the oven. So much easier to send through the food press after being roasted and then cook on the stove, or even put back in a low oven, until thickness you desire is achieved. Clicking on the picture will take you to the recipe – but it’s definitley a flexible one.
I think I have my work cut out for me this weekend – but just think how great the house is going to smell!! – M
Ever since I saw the movie ‘Fried Green Tomatoes At the Whistle Stop Cafe’ [whew!] I’ve wanted to taste them. Here at last is a recipe – then I read a little further and found the green tom pie! Great Scott – heaven!! I am just now busy preparing my spring garden – and one of the things I am most looking forward to is growing my own tomatoes for the first time in this location. They may never get to salad stage!! 😀
My goodness Shel, you are a woman of many parts – it is a delight to be tagging along in your footsteps!!
So glad you enjoyed the post and recipes. Once you taste those tangy green tomatoes you are going to have a hard time letting the rest of them ripen. No worries though – you will have so many tomatoes you couldn’t possibly stop them all from turning red! Sure wish I was preparing my spring garden instead of preparing to put mine to rest for the fall and winter! – M
I love garden fresh tomatoes. My favorite way to eat them is a plain old tomato sandwich. White bread, Mayo, sliced tomato from the garden, and a little salt. That is what summer tastes like to me. Glad you have such a good crop. I’ll have to try the tomato pie.
Hello Writer Girl and welcome! Tomato sandwiches are the definition of simply delicious – there is no better summer sandwich in my book! I made the savory tomato pie last night and it was incredible!!! Super tasty! You have to make the sauce to go with it – it adds so much flavor. I don’t have a way to slice the tomatoes super thin so next time I am going to cook them just slightly before adding them to the pie, this will help them cook all the way before I have to go past that golden brown on the panko topping! This pie will be a keeper! – M
I wouldn’t have thought to make pie out of tomatoes, but that last recipe has me drooling! Wish I could fall into some of those northern fall tomatoes. FL tomatoes are pretty, but not near as tasty as those up north.
I agree Natine, the bounty of MI produce is tough to beat. It’s got to be hard to beat the FL citrus though. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to meet halfway a couple of times a year to trade off the bounty when each are plentiful! 🙂
NOW you’re talkin! 😉
Thank you for this post. I’ve always believed that chicken had to be cooked to 180 using an instant read thermometer to be safe. Always dry. I do more grilling outdoors, but I’ll definitely have to look for one of those pans. Should be good for any type of meat.