This is one of my favorite times of the year.  Ripe, juicy, luscious tomatoes of all kinds are ready and waiting to be devoured in a range of recipes.  Or there is my mother’s favorite - straight from the vine with just a sprinkle of salt. However you like yours, get out there and get some.

 

As promised a week ago, here are a couple of my favorite ways to use tomatoes, especially if you happen to be lucky enough to have a wonderful harvest of them on hand.

 

Gazpacho

I’m not usually a fan of cold soups, but you have to try this recipe.  Absolutely delicious and refreshing!  Add a crisp green salad and a fresh loaf of crusty bread and you’re set for dinner.

 

Chili Sauce

It wouldn’t be summer if I did not make a batch of my husband’s favorite chili sauce.  Here’s the recipe, compliments of his mom.

 

1 gallon of tomatoes (about 24 large), chopped

2 C onions, chopped

2 C sweet red peppers (about 6 peppers), chopped

1 pod jalapeno pepper, chopped

3 Tbsp. salt

1 Tbsp mustard seed

1 Tbsp. celery seed

3 Tbsp. mixed pickling spices

1-1/2 C vinegar

1 C sugar

Place the first four ingredients in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer uncovered, for about 45 minutes.  Place the spices in a little mesh bag. I use cheesecloth and tie with string. Add the tied bag of spices and continue cooking until thick.  Add the vinegar and boil down until there is no more liquid on top.  Add sugar last to avoid burning. 

 

At this point, you can either ladle the mixture into canning jars for preserving using traditional canning procedures or share the fruits of your labor with friends and family right now.

 

The process takes several hours so make it on a day when you’ll be around home. The aroma from this as it’s cooking down is magical.  It awakens all your senses and for my husband, brings him right back to a favorite place from his childhood. 

 

That’s the beauty of handing down those treasured recipes we all latch onto along the way.  What’s yours?  Do you have a treasured recipe using tomatoes? Send it to us and we’ll share it here and on our Facebook page.

 

Hope to see you tonight at our seminar on Preserving the Harvest presented by Master Gardener Barb Ottolino. She’s a pro on all the methods so come armed with your questions.