7/5 Pick
 

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Had to throw out about 1/2 as many from bird attack (sap sucker), fissure, and bug damage. The copious amt. of rain ruined several that were on lower cluster. Lots of blemish, stretch marks, etc....

Looks like salsa & sauce time. Gave away about 40 before this pick to neighbor and friends over the 4th holiday. Not as many mid-season fruit setting, do to rainy days, but lots of tomatoes forming on the top.

Three plants are dead, some others are showing signs of disease. Not a bumper crop year, but better than last year when late blight crashed the party.

Also, had one plant that was supposed to be a sungold cherry, but puts out perfectly round orange ----> red fruit about 12 oz. I think it is one of those generic hybrid (big boy, etc..)

I have been picking tomatoes for about two weeks (cherries longer) with good yield. Taste initially was a little watered down - but juicy. Flavor with the increase in heat is improving.

Nice haul. I usually have to line my plastic crates with paper, or else the fruit get "waffle butt." But if you are processing them, it won't matter.

That is nothing to sneeze at. You have a great haul. Enjoy.

[QUOTE=Cole_Robbie;652393]Nice haul. I usually have to line my plastic crates with paper, or else the fruit get "waffle butt." But if you are processing them, it won't matter.[/QUOTE]

thanks patti, going to cook them down this weekend.


good point cole, I sometimes do line the carriers. I find that "borrowing" the plastic beverage flats from the quick sack stores are a great take off container. But do not lend them out or you will never see it again!!

I've got maybe 15 now, I like the square ones best. they stack and store well outside and don't melt in the sun.

Great haul! Enjoy those tomatoes! I'm still waiting for first blush in 2017--it's a late year for me.

Salsa and sauce is high virtue use of your treasures.

thanks JM and Charley. sauce will be on today. currently thunderstorms and 70 degrees, haven't watered the in ground specimens all year. need to sharpen some blades....

picked a couple almost ripe, green shoulders last night for some FGT (fried green tomatoes). drenched in a couple day old eggs from the hens and 70/30 flour/corn meal mix. first batch lightly breaded, but then realized to pack the flour mix on hard for a crispier treat. top w/ grated parmasen cheese and coarsely ground sea salt. NOt too pretty, but darn tasty.


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went to the grocery store, garlic bulbs were 35c a piece - don't know which kind but had a purple color. round red local tomatoes were 99c/lb. store was clearing out summer decor to make room for back 2 school and picked this up for Mrs. Foot:

it was too stinkin' cute to pass up. (about 18" in length)

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will add some pics of the sauce making here, which is fixin to commence...

fresh basil, roasted garlic, roasted fresh peppers, oregeno, spices, etc... & like to 1/4 and roast toms for 40 minutes before putting in the pot. pic is 1 tray of 6.

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Looks like sketti tonight.

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looks great

Have tried both flour and cornmeal FGT, but never the combination. I 'll have to try that this growing season. Thanks, Foot!

Nice big maters, looking great! :)
The last tub of sauce I took out of the freezer from last year was roasted... what a difference. Think I'm done with stovetop recipes. Roasting is well worth it. :yes: