Tag: Tomatoes

Sunshine Mary

Are you tired of tomatoes yet? We are not.

It is nearly October and the tomato season is not over. Yes, the tomatoes are smaller and fewer, but it is still possible to have a warm, fresh tomato straight from the garden. It seems the yellow and orange ones are more prevalent now so it is time to concoct a recipe for those.

Sunshine Mary

A Bloody Mary made with all yellow tomatoes becomes a Sunshine Mary. This version is made with freshly juiced tomatoes. A freshly juiced tomato drink has a different flavor than either our home canned Bloody Mary mix or a store bought mix.

The Recipe

Makes 2 drinks.

4 medium yellow tomatoes

2 small hot peppers

1 stalk celery

1/2 lemon

1 Tbsp horseradish

4 ounces gin or vodka

Salt and pepper to taste

Celery sticks and olives for garnish

Using an electric juicer, juice the tomatoes, hot peppers, celery and lemon. Mix thoroughly and add horseradish, salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with olives and celery stalk. For a nice spicy rim on the glass, spread 2 teaspoons of your favorite steak seasoning on a saucer. Dip the edge of the glass in lemon juice, then on the steak seasoning to coat the rim.

You can leave out the alcohol and have a delicious, healthful drink.

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Bloody Mary Mix

What do you make when the tomatoes are still producing and the freezer is full of marinara sauce, the pantry is full of juice and the shelves are packed with salsa?

Bloody Mary Mix

This home made, home preserved seasoned juice is perfect for creating a classic cocktail. If you are not inclined to add vodka (or gin), drink this on a long winter day to remind yourself of refreshing summer days to come. 

For 16 pints of Bloody Mary Mix

7 quarts fresh tomato juice

3/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup A-1 steak sauce

3 – 4 Tbsp Tabasco, or to taste

1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup celery salt

2 Tbsp fresh ground pepper or to taste

1/4 cup prepared horseradish

Simmer all ingredients together for 10 minutes. Ladle into hot pint canner jars leaving 1/2 inch head space. Process in water bath canner for 35 minutes. You can also process in a pressure canner for 15 minutes at 10 pounds pressure. Leave 1 inch head space if pressure canning.

**As always, consult your local home extension or the Ball book of home preserving for safe home preserving practices.

For more delicious recipes, get the book “Simply Delicious” available in print and digital versions. Stop by Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for up to the minute news from Five Feline Farm. 

82-All About Tomatoes

It is tomato time in Central Illinois. But what happens when the tomatoes just do not seem to ripen.

You can eat a lot of fried green tomatoes, but there are a couple of other tricks to try. In this episode Donna shares her secrets to encouraging the tomatoes to ripen.

We also discuss some of the heirloom varieties available in the garden this year.

Until next time….

How To Shop The Farmer’s Market

Farmer’s Market

A Farmer’s Market can be overwhelming. Who has the best product? Who has the best prices? How do I know I am getting a good value for my dollar?

This post will answer your questions. 

Get to know the vendors.

Ask questions about their products. Growers and market vendors should be able to answer your questions. Some questions you can ask are: “When was this picked? Where was it grown? Has it been sprayed? Is it a GMO seed?” Based on answers to these questions, you can make your decision about what to buy.

If this is your first visit to a market, do a quick sweep around the market to see what is available and prices. In small markets, prices will usually be similar with only a bit of variance based on the variety or quantity available. Larger markets may have a more significant price difference among vendors. If you are a regular customer, you will know what to expect from your favorite vendors.

After a quick perusal of what is available, go back and make your purchases. One caution however, vendors may have limited quantities of some items. If you have an established relationship with particular vendors based on their reputation for quality and price, you may want to shop those vendors first.  

Learn what is in season.

Eating seasonally will not only provide the most nutritious bang for your buck, but also the best flavor. Local produce has a limited availability due to growing conditions and climate.

For example, you can find tomatoes in Illinois in May, but these are not likely to have been grown locally. The best tomatoes in Central Illinois are available from early July through the end of August, sometimes even stretching into mid-September. These tomatoes will be fully vine-ripened, bursting with tomato flavor.

Shop a Farmer’s Market first.

Above all, find a local farmer’s market and shop there before the big box stores. Produce will be fresher and there are other some great finds like honey, balms, craft items and much more.  

Plus you have the opportunity to develop relationships with great people. What could be better?

If you would like to read more about how we found a community at the 18th Street Farmer’s Market, check out this book: The Long Road to Market. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.