Tomatoes

[Lugnut]

The tomato plants are in the ground! Sheer heaven is about two months or so away. There is nothing quite like picking fresh tomatoes in the back yard. Too bad the lettuce will be ready to eat well before the tomatoes will be.

I decided to plant some plum tomatoes this year just for the heck of it. I found San Marzano plums at the greenhouse and now have six lovely little plants setting their roots in my veggie garden. Those little darlings will make some pasta very happy.

[demnan]

1. I only have a patio

but I'm growing plum tomatoes too. Mine are setting lots of buds now, proving that the condo patio is a great place to grow stuff.

I'm growing jalepeno peppers and cilantro, also I have a few bulbs of garlic. Can you guess what I plan to make with my plum tomatoes?

Ummmmmm fresh salsa!

[Lugnut]

4. That's what I need

I could really use a recipe for salsa if anybody has one to share.

I planted cilantro along with basil, parsley and tarragon. If the rabbits don't eat everything I'll be in good shape.

Once in a while we pot a patio tomato or two and they work out really well. I always plant my herbs in a big wooden barrel.

[demnan]

5. May I recommend this little book:

Lots of easy good salsa recipes.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0811803287/qid=1117734159/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/103-2954887-5513441

Basically I make two kinds, both from the book. One is a fresh salsa where I just combine chopped tomatoes, jalepenos, red onion, salt, cilantro and garlic. This the "Three beaks" of the roaster type salsa. The second is called charred jalepeno salsa and combines essentially the same ingredients, however first you char the tomatoes, onions and peppers under the broiler.

[Lugnut]

7. Thank you very much

I can't make it too spicy since I can't eat really spicy things. I'll definitely check out that book.

[wryter2000]

13. Great patio tomato containers

wwww.earthbox.com

[Stinky The Clown]

2. San Marzano ... king of the tamadas!

[Warpy]

3. I always had much better luck with plum tomatoes

back in the good old days when I lived in a place that had RAIN.

Plum tomatoes are superior in everything that calls for chopped tomatoes, like sauces, salsas, and bean or pasta salads. I also found them superior for canning and freezing. Those big tomatoes are best for anything that requires tomato slices, like grilling, topping burgers, or salade Nicoise. You can can or freeze them, of course, but they're just not the same. Best to keep the hard, green ones in a paper bag with an apple after the first freeze and allow them to ripen.

[The empressof all]

6. Nice find with the San Marzano's

I'd be curious about how they turn out for you and if there is a real difference in flavor. I was always under the understanding that it was the volcanic ash in the soil in the part of Italy these beauts are grown that made the real difference in flavor.

Please let us know-because I'll be on a mission to grow them next year.

[Lugnut]

8. I'll be sure to let you know.

I'm trying plum tomatoes this year because I'm planning to try my hand at salsa. I think adding some plums might make a difference. I like sauteed chopped plum tomatoes on pasta too.

[NashVegas]

9. I'm Just Waiting 3-4 More Weeks for Tennessee Tomatoes

To start coming in, in droves.

Bradley pinks are da bomb.

[bearfan454]

10. Early Girl work the best for me.

I'll post some pics later on.

[Lugnut]

11. I got some of those too

If the weather cooperates around here we should have a good supply of tomatoes. I'd love to see your pictures.

We barely get a Spring anymore. It has, once again, gone from pretty darn chilly to hot and humid. It was 86 degrees this afternoon with 90% humidity. That's good tomato growing weather. :)

[wryter2000]

14. Early Girl

Mmmmm....my favorite.

[wryter2000]

12. You said the magic word

My favorite food in the whole world is homegrown tomatoes. Seriously, if I had to give up either chocolate or homegrown tomatoes for the rest of my life, I wouldn't hesitate for a second. I have to have my tomatoes.

In our wonderful, mild climate, a beefsteak type won't ripen, so I have to get them at farmers' markets. But Early Girls do great in Oaktown. My plants have fruit all over them now. Last year I got my first tomato on 6/26. It won't be until July this year. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

15. I wish we had a garden.

There's nothing like fresh, ripe tomatoes.

Here's my favorite tomato salad, FWIW

Marjoram-Scented Panzanella w/Aged Cheese
Serves 4

For the vinaigrette
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ cup olive oil
Salt & pepper

For the salad
½ loaf (1/2-lb) day old Italian or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (4 cups)
2 tbs olive oil
4 large tomatoes (about 1 ¼ lbs) seeded & coarsely chopped. (about 2 cups)
½ cup finely chopped red onion
1 tbs finely chopped fresh marjoram leaves
2 oz very cold aged sheep’s milk cheese or aged goat cheese, aged provolone or parmesan.

To make vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine vinegars, mustard, salt & pepper to taste. Let stand about 5 minutes. Slowly add olive oil in a steady stream, whisking thoroughly. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375.

Place bread cubes on a baking sheet. Drizzle w/ olive oil, stirring to distribute. Bake until the cubes are lightly browned & crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to cool. (or you can heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add cubes & stir until brown & crisp.)

Mix tomatoes, onion & marjoram with ¼ cup of the vinaigrette. Let sit for 10 minutes. Add bread cubes & another ¼ cup of the vinaigrette; mix well. Let sit for about 15 minutes. Add the remainder of the vinaigrette, if needed. (the ingredients should be well coated but not bathing in dressing. Divide between 4 plates & top each w/ cheese & freshly ground pepper.

My notes. I sautéed the cubes since I thought it was easier. I needed way more than 2 tbs of oil. I used a bit over ½ cups of onion, since I had some left & I wasn’t about to throw it away. I used basil (probably 2 or 3 tbs, instead of the 1 called for) since the market didn’t have marjoram & I used Parmesan-also way more than 2 ounces & I mixed the Parmesan into the salad instead of serving it on top. I also used quite a bit of salt & especially pepper since I felt the bread cubes were eating it up.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

16. ooh, this looks like so much fun

The festival, which raises money for the School Garden Network of Sonoma County, is held in the walnut grove behind the Château at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center. Come experience the food of more than 50 gourmet food purveyors, our fabulous Bruschetta Boulevard, food and wine pairing seminars, tomato growing contest, garden tours, art show and live entertainment featuring Lavay Smith & her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, all paired with Kendall-Jackson wines.

http://www.kj.com/events/tomato-festival/tomato-festival.asp

I wish I could go

[trotsky]

17. My feelings on tomatoes are described perfectly by John Denver.

There aint nothin in the world that I like better
Than bacon n lettuce n homegrown tomatoes
Up in the mornin, out in the garden
Get you a ripe one, dont pick a hard 'un
Plant 'em in the spring, eat em in the summer
All winter without em is a culinary bummer
I forget all about the sweatin and the diggin
Every time I go out and pick me a big un

Home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes
What would life be like without homegrown tomatoes
Only two things that money cant buy
That's true love and home grown tomatoes

You can go out to eat an thats for sure
But theres nothin a homegrown tomatoe wont cure
Put em in a salad, put em in a stew
You can make your own tomatoe juice
You can eat em with eggs, eat em with gravy
You can eat em with beans, pinto or navy
Put 'em on the side, put em in the middle
Home grown tomatoes on a hot cake griddle

Home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes
What would life be like without homegrown tomatoes
Only two things that money cant buy
That's true love and home grown tomatoes

If Is to change this life I lead
You could call me Johnny Tomatoe Seed
Cause I know what this country needs
Home grown tomatoes in every yard you see
When I die dont bury me
In a box in a cold dark cemetary
Out in the garden would be much better
Cause I could be pushin up a home grown tomatoe

Home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes
What would life be like without homegrown tomatoes
Only two things that money cant buy
That's true love and home grown tomatoes

Home Grown Tomatoes (go figure!) - written by Guy Clark