Friday, June 5, 2009

Good and Delicious

When the garden finally starts really producing, I'm always taken by surprise. Now, I don't mean those dribs and drabs of a few early things. I don't mean lettuce or other early treasures like small and sweet peas or tiny bright carrots.

I mean the kind of production that has you looking at your basket and wondering exactly how you're going to eat all of this. When you're nowhere close to having your canning season started yet here you are, carrying a full hod of beets.

Fried Green Tomatoes


As I've shown on a couple of previous photos, I've got no shortage of tomatoes growing. The most I have on a plant right now is 30, which is too many in my opinion. I'm probably wrong but I've always thought that when I have too good of a start on the plants and they get overwhelmed with full sized fruit too early, that they wear out for the delights later in the season.

So, with so many on some, I pruned off a few of the nice ones and had myself some fried green tomatoes! They are delicious but they make such a mess of splatters on the stove. My most prolifice plant still has 27 on it with about half a dozen at full size and ready to go red any time.

Roasted Vegetable Mixture

With a big load of chiogga beets, my personal favorite, some early potatoes, peas, carrots and onions, I made a roasted vegetable mix that is as rustically delicious as it is colorful. Toss the chopped veggies in some olive oil with thyme, minced garlic, a splash of balsamic vinegar and white wine. I added some chickpeas for protein but that really isn't for everyone as it changes the texture some. If you add tiny fresh peas or snap peas like I did, toss those in during the last five minutes. Roast at 400F for 20-30 minutes depending on your veggies. It really is a very satisfying and simple dish that can easily make a meal on its own.


What are you harvesting now and what yummies are you making with it?

10 comments:

Julia said...

30 tomatoes on one plant??? That's crazy! I'm feeling good that I have too. Your roasted veg look great.

Julia said...

Oops, typo--- I have two (2).

Unknown said...

It's too early to harvest anything here. I did pick a few strawberries but that's it. Your veggie blend looks good.

Hickchick said...

My tomato plants are still in pots on my deck, even the spinach is struggling in the ground. It has been a cold dry zone 4 spring. Perhaps I would be braver about getting them into the ground if I lived closer to my garden :o Soon, soon. Kris

Ruth Trowbridge said...

Looks so good, can I come for dinner? My tomato plants aren't even in the ground yet! Peace for all

Carolyn Evans-Dean said...

I've got a few salad greens and some chives, but that is about it. Your roasted veggies look really good!

Judy T said...

We finally had our first real salad from the garden. Mixed greens, radishes and a few green onions. YUM! I think my peas may be a no show this year since the rabbits have decimated them. sigh!
Judy

ATW said...

WOE!! That looks serious and amazingly delicious.

Jennifer said...

Looks great and delicious! Thanks for the ideas.

Robbyn said...

Oh my gosh...fried green tomatoes!!! Your garden looks gorgeous and wow, your tomatoes...yum! :)

Robbyn