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Food

Glut of tomatoes

(59 Posts)
Craftycat Tue 14-Aug-18 15:21:09

I am knee deep in tomatoes! I grow extra plants for my DGC but my son's family moved a few weeks ago & the last thing they needed with a huge overgrown garden to tame was more plants so I've kept them all.
They have gone off to Crete & I have all the fruit!
They are mainly the small yellow ones but some orange & red too- all small varieties as I think they are the sweetest.
I've made loads of pasta sauce but now the freezer is groaning too.
Any ideas?

cavewoman Wed 15-Aug-18 15:10:32

I'd like to know if you remove the seeds for soups,chutney jams etc.?

grannyticktock Wed 15-Aug-18 17:24:33

You don't have to remove the seeds for anything that's a bit chunky, like a chutney. If I make a smooth soup or a pot of passata to freeze in cartons, I cook the tomatoes until pulpy, then give them a whiz with a stick blender, then sieve them to get out the pips and any scraps of skin.

Tomato and squash combine well in a soup, with a bit of onion and garlic if you like.

grandMattie Wed 15-Aug-18 17:26:03

Aepgirl your pleasure reminds me of DS2 a few years ago. His dad had given him a tomato plant that he had nurtured with love. One day, he came to visit us with a plastic box full of tissues/kitchen roll. He opened it with great ceremony, and presented me with his very first tomato. His joy was palpable, and I was touched to tears, naturally!

4allweknow Wed 15-Aug-18 17:27:55

Depending on where you live you may be able to bag up, put stickers with weight and price and stick them on a table of sorts for folk to buy. Happens all the time where I am.

Jalima1108 Wed 15-Aug-18 17:36:30

Re the chilli jam - does it keep? The recipe shows a jar but he mentions serving it, I presume straight away

Carolpaint Wed 15-Aug-18 17:49:39

Hi Jalima, I find it keeps very well, there is wine vinegar and sugar to preserve it. Granddaughter takes it off to uni, once you have made it a few times, you can go off piste and put in possibly an apple, or mango or capsicum. The coriander and lemon is just the addition for the table. I think he advises 7 chillies but it depends on how hot are the chillies, even used scotch bonnet. Have fun it is addictive. ?

Jalima1108 Wed 15-Aug-18 18:10:20

I thought that it should keep Carolpaint - I've made tomato chutney before now and used it after a couple of years in the cupboard in Kilner jars.
I think it could be too hot for me but I think that DS may like it if I make some! He's growing chillies.

Fennel Wed 15-Aug-18 18:47:33

Molly and Liz - thanks. I didn't know that I thought they had to be grown under glass. Global warming?
I might try a plant or 2. But husband refuses to eat tomatoes. I usually sneak a squeeze of tomato puree into stock, sauces etc and he doesn't notice.