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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Love Apples


I find it utterly amazing, that tiny 9 seeds can turn into plants that produce pounds upon pounds of tomatoes and it wasn't even that great of a year. I could say I'm finished with these love apples and call it quits on the tomato season of 2013, but as I tucked the tender pepper plants, yet again, under a tarp tonight, my eyes darted back and forth among the rather sad looking tomato plants and I spotted more ripe fruit than two hands could carry. There may just be another batch, though two might be pushing it, left out there and who am I to throw away a few quarts of red goodness. I can think of a few people around here who will be glad I did on some future wintry night.

By the way, I don't peel, core or remove the seeds before I cook tomatoes down into a sauce. Why expend that extra effort unnecessarily? I slice off the stem ends and any bad spots, quarter the tomatoes and throw them in the pot. Once they've reduced to a liquid, usually about two hours for eight pounds of tomatoes, I run it through the smallest setting of my food mill. Easy peasy and ready to can. And the trimmings? Why those go to the chickens. I can't step outside this time of year without the entire flock running towards me anxiously waiting for me to toss them some red love. Just ask Miss Pippy...



~sharing with:
Favourite Things HomeAcre Hop 

18 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

yay for goodness. :)

Lynne said...

You are an artist with words, story . . . Loved your "love" . . . miss october friend . . .

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

I feel your pain!!!

Unknown said...

you inspire me every time I visit :)

Jessica said...

Sounds delicious! And I totally understand the abundance of tomatoes. They're so good that fresh, though!

Keren: Fabulous farmlife said...

Love your blog
Following you all the place
Keren (From South Africa)
Fabulous-farmliving
Fabulous-food-recipes

Mary, Windy Meadows Farm said...

I love this quick & easy way to cook tomatoes...it's the best! And yes, those little pepper plants keep hanging on...they're side-by-side with the sweet potatoes that need just a bit more time until harvest. I feel a cold winter coming...just a hunch. -Mary

Joan said...

Yes it seems like the year of the tomato. I have 6 plants only this year (and 2 of them are cherry tomatoes) and have trouble keeping up. Every time you think you're done, you notice "something reddish" out of the corner of your eye hiding under those leaves over there.

By the way, love your chickie too!

Betty Manousos said...

love your blog and your photography!
your tomatoes look so delicious!
yum!

visiting via little things thursday~

Roxi H said...

how sweet your chicken is!!! Great food shot. Mine did ok but not enough to put up.

betty-NZ said...

Love that you get so many tomatoes! I'm sure it's worth all the work. I can't seem to get it right lately, but I'll keep trying.

tiarastantrums said...

HA - that cracks me up - chickens chasing you for scraps! LOVE

Lmkazmierczak said...

Our tomatoes went into chili...all frozen and ready for cold fall/winter days♫ My Rurality: http://lauriekazmierczak.com/saddle-into-the-sunset/

Anonymous said...

Love the fact that your chickie girls get the leftovers... I'm so glad you came by to share on Rurality Blog Hop #33!

Unknown said...

I freeze or dehydrate a lot of my tomatoes. It is amazing how many you get from just a few plants. New follower from the blog hop. i look forward to reading more of your blog!

Carolynn Anctil said...

I fear I may be bidding my tomato plants farewell in the next day or two. The forecast is for below freezing weather and with the winds we get in the fall (40 - 70 km. !) I can't keep a sheet on them overnight.

You have some lovely ladies there, too.

I just surfed over from Gum Tree Lane for a visit. Nice place you have here.

Blessings,
Carolynn

Kim Cunningham said...

Yum! I love tomatoes, so love apples is a great name!

Lisa Lynn said...

My chickens are tomato fans too :) Thanks for sharing on The HomeAcre Hop! Hope to see you again today :)