So I joined a CSA this year. All organic produce, grown about 30 miles away. So far, it’s been pretty good, although it has stricter work requirements than the one I belonged to back in Mpls.* Actually, it’s been very good; it’s just that I’ve been kinda bad. I guess I’d underestimated the degree to which I just no longer do any real cooking. As a result, I’ve had to throw away a fair amount of produce.
But I’m trying to do better. And right now, I have literally about 15 beautiful heirloom tomatoes just waiting for me to do something with them. I also have various Japanese-type eggplants, a few peppers, some basil, and a bag of various types of baby squash. Oh, and some new potatoes. And green beans. But mostly, I have tomatoes, and I’m determined not to waste them.
With that in mind, I need help: What would you do with all those tomatoes? I suppose I could cook up some tomato sauce—I forgot, I have onions and garlic too—but that would be pretty boring. I remember making a tomato tart a number of years ago, but I have no clue where I got the recipe. Can canning be learned quickly, like in a day? Anyone got better suggestions? Please?
*Needless to say, I’m overwhelmed with sorrow and horror at the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. It’s particularly upsetting to me because I know that area well; I didn’t spend much time on I-35W heading north, but it’s quite close to where I lived, and I drove under that bridge every day for years. In fact, parts of the bridge apparently landed on the River Road, which was my route to work (and which was a delightful road to commute on—scenic, no traffic, very few stop signs). I just can’t even begin to imagine what people are going through there, and my heart is with them, and with the city.