Wednesday, 8 September 2010

Tomato crisis



I came home from a wonderful weekend away camping with family and friends to find this happening to my tomatoes.  What on earth is wrong with them? 
The cherry and plum tomatoes are fine, but my poor beef tomatoes are splitting their skins.
It seemed a shame to waste them, so hubby set to work in the kitchen to turn my poor poor tommys into some delicious green tomato and red onion chutney.
A huge batch was made, so there was plenty to put into little jars for Christmas presents, I just need  to decorate the lids with some pretty fabric and string and label the jars.



Green tomato chutney

500g green tomato
500g red onions
250g molasses or dark brown sugar
2 tbsp salt
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground green cardamom
500ml malt vinegar

Roughly chop all ingredients and place in a large pan.
Bring to the boil and then turn down heat.
Simmer for about an hour and a half until reduced to a thick pulp.
Leave to cool and then transfer to jars.


Whilst the hubby was busy in the kitchen I took myself off outside with a ball of wool and a hook, sat in the sun and made Lucie a hat.
Autumn is definitely on the way and the time has come to start on the hats and scarfs and possibly a new blanket if time allows.




 


Lucie got a little carried away with the whole modelling thing.

Speak soon x

10 comments:

mother of purl said...

lovely hat!

re the toms, I'm reading Mr Middletons dig for victory broadcasts at the moment http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digging-Victory-Wartime-Gardening-Middleton/dp/1845133714 and he talks about how irregular watering and feeding can lead to split skins- ie a few days no water and food, then a bink feed and drink can cause them to grow too quickly and split their skins. Never mind, still good for the chutney! xx

PaisleyJade said...

That hat looks fab!! You seem super quick with hats!!

We've had split tomatoes like that before - I thought the rain caused it, but the tip above sounds about right.

Thanks for the receipe!!

Just-Do said...

Great hat and in a lovely colour! What pattern did you use?

Scented Sweetpeas said...

My tomatoes have done the same but still taste good :-) ohh may have to try that chutney recipe - thanks.

Kristine Mullen said...

I love the hat! My girls would too :)

- said...

Just discovered your blog. I love the atmosphere along with your ideas and projects. Your daughter resembles my niece Amanda. I think she is doing a fantastic modelling job!

Allison said...

such a pretty hat! i love how quickly hats work up, too.

Anonymous said...

That's a great hat pattern - would you be able to share? :)

chinamommy said...

i also am wondering where you found this hat pattern, do tell!!!!! i just made a slouchy hat but mine turned out HORRIBLE, like a tall cone! haha!

Jennifer said...

Hi, I just came across your blog after seeing this hat on flickr. I was wondering if you would be willing to share the pattern, it's gorgeous and I need to make my girls some hats for the winter.