“Home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes, What would life be like without home grown tomatoes. Only two things that money can’t buy, That’s true love and home grown tomatoes.” John Denver, ‘Home Grown Tomatoes’ (from a song written by Guy Clark)

This time of year the tomatoes are coming on fast and furious. Therefore, on this my inaugural blog, I thought it would be fun to talk about one of my favorite treats in the garden.  The home grown tomato.

I look forward to that fresh taste all winter long. Once you taste a home grown tomato you know exactly what I’m talking about. They simply don’t compare to the hard, tasteless tomato you buy in the grocery store. If you haven’t experienced the difference, stay tuned. I intend to help you grow your own juicy, delicious home grown tomatoes. Another blog for another day.

 I planted fourteen tomato plants this year in several varieties including Celebrity, Oregon Spring, Plum, Italian, Paste and Beef which are perfect for making Garden Salsa, Orecchiette Pasta Salad,  BLT’s and Famous Tomato and Basil Pizza Pie with Fresh Mozzarella. Why fourteen plants, though? I can never have too many, although when I am pruning tomatoes it seems like I might have overdone it just a bit! I love the versatility of a really good tomato. Each kind of tomato has it’s own flavor and purpose, which blends into each meal.  I make a variety of dishes that taste great using fresh tomatoes now, and I also preserve the tomatoes  by canning, drying or freezing to enjoy their fresh taste all year long.

I’m out in my garden every day this time of year, The benefits are not only in the beautiful, delicious vegetables. There is something very therapeutic about tending, caring and harvesting your own vegetables. I have yet to find something else as rewarding. 

Hopefully you have already enjoyed some home grown tomatoes this year.  If not, head over to your local farmers market. Just remember, the  tomatoes there might not look as pretty as those you would find in a grocery store because they haven’t been genetically altered for uniformity or gassed for color.  Don’t let looks deceive you though; it’s the taste that makes all the difference.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bayou BLT with Avocado 

Garden Fresh Pasta with Italian Sausage, Feta Cheese and Toasted Walnuts

 

Coming up Tuesday,  September 4th

• The Best Pizza Ever Starts with Fresh Ingredients
• Want to Up Your Game? Infused oil,  the Way to Go
• Drying Herbs, Enjoy that Garden Fresh Taste All Year

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “sponsored links.” This means if you click on the link you will be directed to a sponsored site. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”