Friday, July 23, 2010

Tomatoes!

Each year we plant marigolds between our tomato plants to keep the bugs away.
The marigolds have almost taken over the aisles this year!
We have been getting 12+ gallons of tomatoes every time we pick them! (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.)
We leave the tomatoes on the counter for a few days so they will be fully ripe when we are ready to can them. This is what our kitchen counters look like just about every day.
This year we planted a roma tomato variety, Super Marzano, that is very good for canning.
First we core the tomatoes...
...and put them in boiling water for a few minutes.
When the tomatoes come out of the boiling water they are placed in a bowl of ice water, and the skins begin to fall off.
After the skins are off the tomatoes are ready to be put in jars.
Finished jars - the little jars to the left are for Anna and Steven. :)
Our cabinets are filling up!

1 comment:

  1. AWESOME! I recently read about planting marigolds near/around the garden area! So you've not had any problems with bugs at all?
    Your harvest if beautiful! We'd love to have as beautiful a garden, and will keep trying!
    Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy your posts!
    Congratulations to Anna and Steven. they're getting married one day before my father in law's 83rd birthday!

    Blessings to your sweet family,
    Karen~

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