Monday, August 23, 2010

The last heirloom tomatoes of the season

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This has been a difficult gardening year for us. We’ve only had a few significant rainfalls all summer. Once a month just doesn’t cut the mustard in a large garden.

And the record breaking heat (in an area already known for tremendous heat and humidity) has made it nearly impossible to coax sustenance from the ground. But with lots and lots of watering, we were able to enjoy a few varieties of tomatoes, eggplants, okra, zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, an abundance of peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and lemon cucumbers. The corn was a complete and utter bust, but we did get a few peas and beans.

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Knowing that this was it from my garden, I wanted to really taste the veggies. We actually enjoyed this meal a few weeks ago, but I haven’t forgotten how utterly delicious it was… I opted to roast the veggies right on top of chicken tenderloins with just a bit of EVOO, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. I almost always choose the simple over the complicated. Popped in the oven for half an hour at 425 degrees amounted to absolute dinner perfection. I particularly enjoyed all the flavors together… Green Zebra, Cherokee Purple, Gold Medal, Jubilee Yellow, Homestead, and Brandywine tomatoes… eggplant… zucchini… yellow squash… Cajun bell peppers… Sigh.

There’s nothing quite like eating homegrown produce.

6 comments:

Berit said...

What a gorgeous meal! :D

Rhetta @ On Raspberry Hill said...

I can almost taste the deliciousness!

The Mac's House said...

Oh that all looks so good....

Thanks for posting the info!

Teri

Unknown said...

yummy. I'm about to put in tomatoes in the hothouse to get an early start. The ground is far too cold to put any in outside for another couple of months.

Melissa Price said...

Thanks, Berit, Rhetta, and Teri!

Sue, I hope to have a hothouse one day. : )

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Mmm Melissa this looks SO good. I only have tomatoes ...one cuke plant herbs and strawberries and raspberries in the garden now. The tomatoes have lots of blossoms but not much fruit at the moment so I'll have to wait to try this. One type of corn did really well but the early variety got bugs and before I realized how much damage they were doing ...it was too late. What we did get was delicious though! Our beans were late but we did get enough to enjoy on the table but not enough to can or freeze and the squash melons and pumpkins got beetles so didn't get much produce there. It was a strange year for gardens they say. Next year I will be ready for the bugs so hopefully we will do better. Enjoy what's left in your garden and I will be watching for your next installment. Take care. Maura :)