It's been a strange summer, not just here in California, but all over the nation too. Even friends of mine that live in Europe have mentioned the climate has been "different" this summer. Fortunately, here on the western side of things we didn't go through the brutal heat spells much of the midwest and east coast had. In fact, it's been a downright mild summer compared to the usual central valley summer days where you are ready to make a deal with the devil for a cool delta breeze. This puts a twist in the ole gardening plan though, where by mid July a garden should be seeing plentiful bounties of summer veg and fruit. In our backyard I have what I like to call nano gardens. Basically, two raised beds 6'x4' and raised knee high with two 2x12 planks. I try to get at least 4 tomato plants in one with a little space left over in from for 2 varieties of chili peppers. and 2 Kabocha pumpkins planted in the middle trained to grow out to the side The other, this year, has acorn squash, pickling cucumber, lettuce and basil.
The tomatoes have been very shy with the oddly cool weather we have had. There are Cherokee Purple, Roma (no fruit set), Lemon Drop, and Oregon Spring. The Cherokee's set fruit first but even with our 90 degree plus days of August, they have not actually turned purple. (insert sad face emoticon here :( ).
So, what's a food person to do? when life gives you lemons…blah blah blah. Ya get creative with the green tomato recipes! I plucked 4 bad boys from the vine, sliced them thick and went to town…this time a little Italian neighborhood kinda town. I put the Italian spin on the southern classic because I had some beautiful fresh basil and garlic, and didn't want to muddle of the flavors of the fruits too much. They turned out great! I think I may try them next time as a variation for an eggplant Parmesan next time.
So, if you are watching your gardens green tomatoes like a watched pot that won't boil, I suggest you give the green tomato a chance, fry some up, make a relish from them or maybe a salsa too.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
