Our garden has been producing well. While most crops are petering out now that we are nearing the end of August, the tomatoes are still going strong. So far this summer, in addition to the ones we've eaten, I've processed 160 lbs of tomatoes, mostly by canning but some put up in the freezer. There are still more to be picked....Granny says they are coming out of my ears, though we have not yet harvested as much as we did last season! She has loved being here this summer to enjoy our fresh tomatoes, especially her favorite "pink ones" (Brandywine heirloom).
One way I have used the mounds of smaller paste, cherry, and pear tomatoes is by roasting several pounds at once along with garlic and onions, to make a flavorful sauce. One day for lunch I made pizza with a zucchini crust, topped with sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
The tally of jars stored away for the winter thus far is:
- 7 pints spicy tomato salsa
- 20 pints tomato sauce
- 27 quarts tomato sauce
- 3.5 quarts dill cucumber relish
- 6 pints zucchini relish
- 7 pints cinnamon cucumber pickle
- 5 quarts dill refrigerator pickle
What has been coming from your garden? Do you have a favorite recipe for preserving certain vegetables or fruits?
~Hannah
Wow, that is some preserving Hannah! I love roasting tomatoes then freezing them -- is that how you prepare yours for the freezer? Our season does not extend much past February (equivalent to your August) as the fruit flies have usually come in by then.
Posted by: Rose | Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 02:37 AM
What an incredible amount of produce and hard work. Great job! Everything looks so delicious. How will you ever decide what to eat first?! :)
Posted by: victoria | Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 10:38 AM
Wow, you've been very fruitful! Looks like you'll be eating good all winter long. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Tori | Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 01:00 PM
Your jars of garden bounty are lovely! I've canned two dozen jars of fig jam from our fig tree and 37 pints of tomatoes (plus two quarts of tomato juice) from tomatoes I bought at the farmer's market. Next on the list is applesauce but I'm not in a hurry for that. So glad to read that Granny is doing better.
Posted by: Becka | Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 01:57 PM
Canning used to be something I enjoyed. I've gotten a little tired of it since I need to do so much more while I'm busier. I'm still very thankful that I have applesauce, green beans, peaches, spaghetti sauce, salsa, stewed tomatoes, raspberry, peach, and strawberry jam. I hope to get some grape juice and apple cider and call it DONE! Woohoo! I LOVE to see full canning shelves. They make a pretty picture. :D
Posted by: Holly | Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 09:17 PM
Hannah, your bountiful blessing from the Lord looks wonderful! We loved having your Mom and Granny here with us! A happy time! Love them both!
Posted by: Carolyn | Wednesday, September 02, 2015 at 05:09 PM
Rose, yes, the sauces I've frozen have been from roasted tomatoes in smaller amounts -great flavor!
Thanks for the comments, Victoria, Tori, and Carolyn! I've enjoyed preserving the garden for our family to enjoy.
Becka and Holly, you have both been busy with your own canning, it sounds like! Some great variety there.
Posted by: Hannah | Thursday, September 03, 2015 at 11:24 PM