Blushing Tomatoes...


our tomato plants have done well these past couple of months...
they were loaded with tomatoes when we got back to the homestead from our trip
the ones we do not sell, we eat


I like to clean them off with a clean, dry cloth just to get any dust and dirt off...
and then, the nice ones get separated from the blemished ones...
and a few get put aside for the chickens

although the imperfect tomatoes are just as good...
customers prefer the ones without blemishes...
perception seems to be what counts


the rest go to my kitchen to be made into tomato sauces and bean soup broth


with just enough water to cover the bottom of the crockpot and pre-heated on high...
the blemishes get cut off and stems removed from the tomatoes


the tomatoes are then placed into the pre-heated crockpot to simmer for about an hour or...
until the skins start to peel away

it will only take a few minutes to soften the peel by stovetop...
but, I like to keep cook my tomatoes in a crockpot to simmer safely while I do other things...
and I like the way the tomatoes come out the long way in a crockpot


after simmering, the tomatoes are removed from the crockpot...
the juice in the crockpot from the simmering is saved...
once the tomatoes are cooled,...
the skins are removed and the tomatoes pureed in a blender


the tomato puree is put into containers along with the left over juice from the simmering...
and a bit of sea salt stirred in...
then it's refrigerated for the week's soups and sauces 


here's looking at gorgeous, blushing tomatoes

May your day or night find grace in the Lord.