The last of the tomatoes from the backyard vegetable patch made their way off the counter this week. I had covered the plants numerous times due to frost warnings in September. However, eventually I picked the green tomatoes, thinking the September sun lacked the energy they needed to ripen. The tomatoes ripened slowly in brown paper bags on the counter and over time I shared the grape, beefsteak and plum tomatoes with friends and family. Finally, the last of the tomatoes needed dispatching.
In August I processed some tomatoes for this winter so as not to have to buy can tomatoes. I just can’t bring myself to eat them any more. We also used lots of fresh tomatoes in soup and casseroles. Fresh tomato soup was on the menu a few weeks ago.
Not only tomatoes but the whole vegetable patch grew well this year. I grew green onions, peppers, cucumbers, yellow beans, salad greens, kale, herbs, cabbage and a variety of tomatoes. As always, I put too much in the patch but everything manages to carve out a space and grow well. I always vow to plant less next year but that never happens.
The kale is abundant and hardy as it always is. My husband eats it reluctantly and I am tired of it. We continue to cut from the plants in the garden which have survived the white frost mornings and the bitter cold nights. I am convinced that Russian kale plants would survive a nuclear blast.
Meanwhile, I oven-dried the last of the tomatoes and placed them in a good olive oil. We will use them over the next month. We love them on homemade pizza with fresh mozzarella and mushrooms.
It was a great season in the garden.
32 comments:
I grow Russian kale, too, and other than also getting tired of it, there is not another vegetable more nutritious. It makes pretty good kale chips, if you want a change. :-)
Glad it was a good season. I've tried so many times but just never have any luck. Thinking of those oven dried tomatoes in olive oil have my mouth watering - yum!
You are very ambitious and I am sure rewarded for your efforts.
You have a green thumb by the sound of it Marie, I love gardening but haven't tried growing vegetables, I really must, you make it sound so appealing 🍎
Good On You - Nothing Like A Homemade Pizza, Tasty Beverage, And And Damn Good Movie - All Because Of A Seasonal Effort - Well Done
Cheers
Isn't kale a punishment sent by God?
My mother had a very tiny raised bed garden and she used to cram all kinds of veggies into it - even though they tumbled over each other, they all grew well and she hardly ever needed to buy more.
Our warm climate doesn't suit kale so we seldom see it around here.
Enjoy more of those yummy-sounding homemade pizzas :) xx
That sounds delicious. As your garden fails ours is coming into its own. The first (I hope of many) teeny tomatoes have set. The rainbow chard is doing well, as are the chillis and capsicum. Some of the beans are hanging in, and there are lots of delightful fresh herbs too (the ones the caterpillars have left us).
Well done, now you can enjoy all the benefits of growing your won veggies. We froze kale and used it in our winter soups. Have a great weekend.
It sounds like you're well stocked.
Reward! For your efforts!
Kale is a challenge to the palate I must confess. However, I know that green leafy vegetables are good for me, so I eat it now and then. My daughter actually makes a Cesar salad with it, and I have to confess it is quite good. She claims the secret is in massaging the kale. I have had many grand adventures throughout my life, and have done many things; massaging kale is not among them!
Oh my! around here we have all but forgotten about garden produce. Sounds like you had an abundant supply.
Nothing so satisfying as a good garden and all its produce.
Hey, I like your last idea for tomatoes. It sounds like it would be very tasty.
I so loved reading this...I had bad luck with tomatoes 5 or 6byrs ago...too long to go into here. I tried 5 plants this year. Onle the Better boy had good tomatoes.
That being said, there is nothing equal to home canned tomato juice!
Hello marie
Sounds like you had a great harvest from your veggie garden.
I love pizza with tomatoes and mushrooms, yum! Extra cheese too.
I found a pasta recipe that includes kale and sausage, I was going to try it out on my hubby. He does not like veggies, I love them all. Take care, enjoy your weekend.
it sounds like an awesome season for sure. my garden did not do well and i did not have near the tomatoes i have had in seasons past!! i don't like kale but i do love salad and all kinds of lettuce!!
your pizzas sound divine!!
We oven-dried tomatoes last year and I had forgotten. Must get them out for dishes.
Your gardening seasons sounds beautiful on a dreary December day.
Kale. One of these days I'g going to try baking kale chips to see if that can make me want it on my menu again.
I love fresh tomatoes but kale is a hard sell for me. I know it's very nutritious but I don't care for the texture or the taste.
Nice story about your doings!
I have not green fingers so for me I have to buy it
But sure it must taste very good!
Owerhere it is cold and dark as well
Tomorrow Iam out in the wood to chop my christmas tree..You can imagine !!With an axe and a saw!! hehehhe
There is little sales of trees this year and I am not so keen on those plastic trees
Wish yoy all good and stay safe!
I love tomatoes too... consume its almost everyday... I tried cherry tomatoes recently, good taste for me.
Glad to hear you have a garden of vegetables.... fresh and healthy.
Have a great weekend.
No garden here. The green thumb I had in middle age has turned the black of my childhood. George waters the few we have, and I marvel that they survive the two of us. Your tomatoes sound perfect.
That was quite a vegetable garden!
Although I love fall and winter, I hate the end of fresh produce and vegetable stands. I don't have a garden but I completely enjoy what other produce. Especially corn on the cob. Now I am in the great "waste land' of store bought produce, canned options and frozen choices. Oh well. Each season brings it own joys - and even though I completely hate summer - I will look forward to it next year to enjoy nature's bounty once again. Stay well.
Hi Marie ... this seems like a different person from the one that shares those wonderful bike rides and walks. When do you get the energy to do so much? Luckily I have friends who supply me with their garden veggies and they are so much better than store-bought !
Ummmm...the dried tomatoes on pizza sounds so good.
There is absolutely nothing that tastes better than home grown fruit and veggies. Now my mouth is watering.
Sue
Your garden sounds great. Congrats on overall good results this year.
Lucky you! I've really missed my gardening in the US this past year. Hopefully next year!
happy happy delightful harvesting dear Marie :)))
wow your mention of vegetables made my mouth water lol
i love homegrown veggies so much and i miss those fresh tomatoes ,spinach ,cauliflower ,parsley ,cucumber ,okra ,zucchini and many other veggies from my mother's garden ,specially onion ,green chilly ,garlic were distributed to neighbors and relatives from her small garden :)
we never have to eat can food here so fresh stuff from market is brought and cooked which is nice and thing to be grateful for indeed
more blessings!
Your garden sounds wonderful. This year for the first time I have successfully grown tomatoes. Heading into summer, our harvest is almost over, as it is too hot and impossible to keep them watered suffuciently.
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