It may be call the love apple (Pomme D’Amour) but for now I have a love-hate thing going on with my tomatoes. I am overcome with delight that after years of struggling to grow tomatoes outdoors my poly greenhouse has been the perfect haven for growing them but after harvesting about 50kg and about the same amount still ripening on the vines I am almost at my wits end about what to do with them all. Admittedly I was slightly enthusiastic in the number of plants I have grown but I had no idea that tomato plants could be so prolific.
The freezer is groaning with tomato sauce and with ketchup, relishes and chutneys neatly lined up on the pantry shelves I am now looking for new culinary ground to use up my tomato glut. Soup and juices are the next with bottling and simply giving them away as the final resort. It’s going to be wonderful to be enjoying the fruits of summer all through winter but I can’t help frustrated that I missed out on all the wonderfully summery culinary experience. Partly because we haven’t had a summer to speak highly of this year but mostly because these fruits of love haven’t really come into their own until autumn set in.
Despite the pains of growing tomatoes I feel very proud to have finally grown a crop that will keep us fed throughout the year. I shall start my tomatoes off earlier for next season and try and get a better succession going to avoid the barrow loads of tomatoes I am lugging back up to the kitchen in one go. This Easter weekend it’s perfect tomato growing weather with sunshine like we’ve not seen all year so I’m going to pretend that it’s summer after all 
PS – here’s someone else who loves a tomato. Who could begrudge little basset a little sniff even if I did have to wash the tomatoes all over again before using them!
I wish I lived closer. I’d love some home grown tomatoes.
Shame Barbara – I’d have been happy to oblige
)
Beautiful tomatoes!
Inspired maybe Mairi to stick a couple in pots in your lovely garden next year?
I feel your pain! And I have been relieving mine by slow roasting all the tomatoes with onions and garlice, mixing with a dollop of chipotle sauce, and eating ravenously with corn chips. Delish. I’m also getting into the vibe of giving them away. I just love the look on the face of the recipient who just can’t believe their luck at getting a bag of gorgeous home grown toms. I guess that’s why we grow too many in the first place.
Hi Sue, I gave some to my neighbours yesterday and they seems pretty pleased. Also, a friend has sent me a new fish recipe to try as I’m frankly a little sick of just tomato sauce
Beautiful crop and some lovely photos. I had my first crop of figs and feijoa this year and unfortunately I have been working overseas so the birds have enjoyed them…boo hoo
Aw Alli – that’s a bummer. I just bought myself some feijoas and it makes me will my little tree to grow faster. No figs this year either which is a shame but I can always hold out hope for next year.
Whoa, that is one decent crop of tomatoes! 50kg???! Do you have any good fruit or veg swaps out your way? You are going to have one swell winter full of your own produce, how fabulous!
Hi Jemma – I tend to give my surplus away to neighbours and friends. Getting the right amount planted is a bit of a lesson for me which I’m not cracked yet. I am however happy to give away surplus and people seem happy to accept it.
Hi Julie — We process many of our tomatoes through a food strainer (http://www.amazon.com/Strainer-Sauce-Maker-Fruits-Vegetables/dp/B0000BYDR1/ref=pd_sim_k_2) and then cook the sauce down at least 50 percent and freeze it for later use. It’s tomatoey-intense!
Hi Jeff – I now have a couple of litres of intense tomato paste. Perfect for Friday pizzas! JT