72°f/22°C, going to be another hot one today.
We were out early this morning, picking tomatoes at my son's friend's high tunnels. We were home before 10am and now I'm up to my elbows in maters.
I am making all of these into juice. We use about 80 quarts of tomato juice every year. I have plenty of salsa, bruschetta, whole tomatoes and soup already, but we are nearly out of juice.
Yesterday we made 20 quarts of applesauce. With 30 already in the cellar, we just need 10 more quarts to fill the apple butter kettle in November.
Well, back to work!
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Those lovely tomatoes are going to keep you busy today. Stay cool as you work ☀️☀️☀️
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen was 80° by the time I finished, so not too bad considering all that boiling stuff!
DeleteThat looks like a lot of work!
ReplyDeleteIt was, FG, but it's done and stored away. And that feels good.
Delete...you sure have been busy!
ReplyDeleteAlways in August. That's when the bulk of the canning gets done.
DeleteYou never stop.
ReplyDeleteWell, running on low speed today! And anticipate doing the same for the rest of this week.
DeleteFor many years I have canned in quantity [other than the 12 years in WY where gardens don't happen] but this summer I'm finding I'm way less enthusiastic about doing it. I'm looking at the rows of canned goods from several seasons back and wondering just how much we really need.
ReplyDeleteYes, I understand. I too wonder how long i will keep doing this, or how long i will be able to. This year my focus has been on just putting up the basics, and not too much of anything except the tomatoes and pickles. Pickles because all the family love them and got home with a har or two whenever they come to visit.
DeleteYou have filled me with shame. We picked a couple of round red ones and a couple of small yellow plums from our "tomato grove" yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHa! These were not from our plants though! We are getting enough to eat and a few extra to put up, but not enough to make as much juice as we like. Thank goodness for our friend Mark and his high tunnels!
DeleteI agree with Anvilcloud. You never stop! 🙂
ReplyDeleteRunning on empty today 🙃
DeleteHmmmm, these look so yummy!!! Will you use them for pizza? Lasagna?
ReplyDeleteNo, Iris, I made them.all into juice. We drink tomato juice with breakfast several times a week, so we use a lot of it.
DeleteI am so glad that you've cut back this year🤣
ReplyDeleteDuh, yeah! Can't cut back on tomato juice though. We love it!
DeleteIt's amazing to me that you go through all that you can in a year. You must entertain more than most folks or give away your extras.
ReplyDeleteWe don't use it all in a year, Marcia. Well, except for thevtomato juice, we sure use all of that! And the applesauce, which goes into making apple butter, except for a few jars. I do give away a lot of the pickles and jams though. And when Sarah drives in from Colorado, she usually takes a lot back with her. As did grandson Jared last year when he was driving back to California. And granddaughter Ally, who came in from Florida. I also keep my single son Derek stocked with a few things, so yeah, I guess I do give away a lit of it.
DeleteMost canned foods will keep quite well in a datk, cool cellar for 3 years or more. I usually get rid of anything older than 3 years though, but honestly we dont have to toss much because it just kind of keeps rotating.
DeleteJust looking at those wonderful tomatoes brings joy. Contemplating the work ahead not so much!
ReplyDelete