Hello, 10 on Tuesday fans! Carole, our fearless leader, is having a bit of a vacay this week, but I thought it would be the perfect time to share some ideas for preserving the best tastes of the season to enjoy when summer is gone!
Now, you may notice that tomatoes kind of steal the show, however, there is a reason for that. I am in the TOMATO OVERLOAD ZONE.
Note to self, there is no reason to plant more than one Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato next year. (What on earth was I thinking planting 4!!)
- I am seeing some plums in the markets right now and Plum Butter is so good on toast, or in yogurt with a bit of granola, or swirled through vanilla ice cream (you could make your own, but really store bought is just fine!) and (P.S. The cardamom is such a great addition to the butter!)
- This recipe calls for apricots, but it is so perfect with peaches. It is so good on English Muffins and stirred into yogurt.
- I think that in a few weeks, when the temperatures have cooled off a bit again, you will find good radishes in the markets again and nothing tastes better than Pickled Radishes. Really, I love them and they are a welcome addition to Happy Hour!
- Cucumbers are everywhere at the markets right now, and this Quick Sweet Pickle recipe is my favorite!
- Now, let’s get to the tomato recipes; shall we? I love to have jars of Tomato Basil Sauce in the pantry, and I think I will try this one this year!
- Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes are such incredible pops of flavor. They are so easy to do and they last a long time in the refrigerator. I have made one batch, and will be making another soon! (P.S. I cut them in half before roasting)
- Homemade Rotel-Style Tomatoes are so good!
- This recipe for Lazy Cherry Tomato Salsa looks so good!
- Now for the Tomato Jams – I have not made this before, but these recipes look so amazing! And, see above – 4 Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato Plants means I have Cherry Tomatoes in bulk!! I found two versions, and I will be trying both; Tomato Jam and Golden Cherry Tomato and Ginger Jam.
There you have it, Gentle Reader, summer in a jar for you to enjoy when summer is just a fond memory! What is your favorite way to preserve the season’s bounty?
Thanks Kat – these all look wonderful!! Our son’s girlfriend’s parents have a plum tree and last year she made plum jam – so good! I was going to make some bluebarb (blueberry/rhubarb) jam this past weekend, but it was too stinking hot…maybe by this weekend it will cool down to below 90 (hoping).
Tomato overload here, too! I processed 12 qts. on Sunday and had to quit when it got to 88 degrees in the kitchen. 🙁 But that cherry tomato salsa sounds good and uncomplicated, especially if I make a big batch and keep it in the refrigerator. Thanks for the recipes! (Got any for turnips? Someone planted a whole row in our garden.)
We’ve been adding some pan-roasted cherry tomatoes (halved) to a little marinara and serving over spaghetti with burrata… and I think I could eat that every.single.day! ‘Tis just about the time to make roasted tomato sauce! I love using a variety of tomatoes (and peppers and mushrooms and herbs).
(Is it lunchtime yet??)
I miss my garden! Hannah is watering and (hopefully) taking good care of it. She’s going to pick tomatoes and basil and bring them to us this weekend, too. Last night I made pico de gallo with our tomatoes and jalapenos and it was SO good!
We didn’t plant any cherries this year as our garden neighbors never eat their own. I will be using some of your recipes, but mostly I just stand in the garden and eat from their plant until I’m full!
Mmmm. My favorite time of year, vegetable garden-wise! XO
we planted cherry tomatoes and then a bunch of volunteers showed up. I can’t eat them because of my medicines that cause mouth sores so it’s up to him. I say good luck!!
Will you come to my house next summer and plant/tend my garden? The bounty from yours sounds delish! Do enjoy!
Cheers~
My tomatoes have been terrible this year. I wanted to make salsa, so I will have to find some at farmer’s market or my sister-in-law may end up with extra. She often shares with me. So kind of her! 🙂