What to do with end of season green tomatoes? 3 recipes

I don’t know about you, but as I pulled the last of my tommato plants, I was left with lots of green tomatoes on the vine.  What do you do with these?  Of course the “go to” southern answer is fry them….but we can do better than that… 3 recipes to try with final green tomatoes of the season.

1) Apple Green Tomato Pie—Got this idea from a friend.  Tangy, tart, sweet and delicious.

Pastry for 2-crust pie
2 c. green tomatoes, skinned, quartered and thinly sliced
3 c. apples, thinly sliced
2/3 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
1/3 c. granulated sugar
2 to 3 tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter

Makes 1 (9 inch) pie. To peel green tomatoes; place in boiling water. Let stand 3 minutes. Skins will slip off easily. Combine tomatoes, apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon and place in pastry lined 9-inch pie plate. Dot with butter. Adjust top crust and flute edges. Cut steam vents. Bake in 425 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Cooks.com– http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1737,153184-247194,00.html

2) Salsa Verde–you can replace tomatillos with free tomatoes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound green tomatoes–4-5 medium to small green tomatoes
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 serrano chile peppers, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 2 cups water

Directions

1. Place green tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chile pepper into a saucepan. Season with cilantro, oregano, cumin, and salt; pour in water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the green tomatoes are soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Using a blender, carefully puree the green tomatoes and water in batches until smooth.

Recipe courtesy of all recipes.com–http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/tomatillo-salsa-verde/detail.aspx

3)Green Tomato & Chicken Soup

•  skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – pounded thin
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound chopped green tomatoes
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil over high heat in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Saute chicken in oil until both sides are browned, approximately 2 minutes per side. Remove the chicken, and set aside.
2. Add onions and garlic to saucepan, and saute until golden. Stir in the green tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover the pot, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
3. Puree vegetables in batches in a blender or food processor. Return to pot, and reheat. At this point taste the soup; if not piquant enough, add cayenne pepper or pepper sauce.
4. Slice the chicken into thin slices, and then shred. Stir into soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. When ready to serve, stir in the minced cilantro and ladle into bowls. Put a dollop of sour cream on top of each portion, and let it melt a bit. Top each dollop with a single cilantro leaf, and serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy allrecipes.com–http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/tomatillo-soup/detail.aspx

So don’t throw the end of season tomatoes away in the compost.  Make something to savor the end of the summer and tomato season.

What are your green tomato recipes? Share below.

Happy Gardening!

m

Everyone Should Grow Tomatoes (and enjoy the sweet taste of success)

My tomatoes are making me proud.

Ok, they’re not all giant-sized like this one–But they’re all delicious.  Homegrown tomatoes are soooo much better than store bought…I don’t think any plant is more rewarding.

So in honor of first large tomatoes at my house, and blog-partner Melissa’s, we’ve proclaimed it Tomato Week.

Share you favorite tomato recipes and growing tips.

Here are mine:

Making bruschetta with Sweet Chelsea tomatoes, garlic and lots of good olive oil

Best Recipe:  Bruschetta is an Italian appetizer that’s so easy even beginners can make it.  It’s also a great way to use cherry tomatoes which are the easiest and most productive of all varieties.

Chop tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and drench with good olive oil, (I buy mine at Capri Flavors).  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Spoon over toasted bread (8-10 minutes at 350) and serve with lot of napkins.

Ready in minutes...and going fast--

Best tip:  Follow the sun with your tomato plants.  I’m having the best year ever because I turned my half of the driveway into a tomato field.  Plants grow in large plastic pots, that are insulated with recycled packing materials from my friend Jon’s florist shop.  The growers mix is Fafard Professional from Stone Brothers.  I mixed in Osmocote and lime and I  water almost everyday.

Bill does the picking.  It keeps him busy.

Ok–your turn.  Please share your favorite ways to grow and  eat homegrown tomatoes and help us celebrate Tomato Week!

First Goliaths of the Season: Classic to Nouveau Tomato Sandwiches

I was starting to wonder.  While my red jelly bean and yellow jelly bean and cherry tomatoes have been prolific…my Goliaths have taken forever to produce.  But well worth the wait.  This is the ultimate tomato sandwich specimens.

Tomato Sandwhich Nouveau

Ode to the tomato sandwich, those not from here or haven’t been here long, probably turn your nose up or your brow in curiousity. But for me the classic tomato sandwich makes me glow with pride.

Here is my Classic tomato sandwich recipe:

A BIG tomato–you can use Goliaths like mine, or many use Beefsteaks in slices

2 pieces of White bread (I do use white wheat and cheat a little for added nutrition)

Dukes Mayonnaise (Light)–and, yes, it has to be Dukes

Salt & Pepper to taste

One of my summer staples…

Recently, I created a little twist on the above.  I call it Tomato Sandwich Nouveau Recipe

1 whole wheat english muffin

1 individual triangle of Laughing Cow Light Cheese

BIG tomato slice

You toast the english muffin, spread the cheese, top with slices of fresh summer tomato and salt and pepper to taste.  So creamy, yet so low in calories…about 140 calories for the whole thing!

Try it out with your latest harvest.  Anyone else have a favorite tomato sandwich twist?

Happy Gardening

m