TOM TOM

A hot, hot summer usually means an abundance of ripe tomatoes from the garden.

I had just the 6 plants (6 varieties) this year – making a decision to grow them on in large plant pots close to the house. We have plans for the potager so there has been very little activity there this year.

The tomatoes fruited and ripened very quickly, perhaps being in a sheltered sunny spot suited them.

As usual tomatoes ripen at a slow pace and it’s easy to keep pace with them, using them in salads. Harvesting them warm from the sun, slicing and dressing with oil, salt and a little vinegar, perhaps fresh parsley or basil and eating with a fresh baguette – for me a perfect lunch or simple supper. 

One plum variety is wonderful roasted until intensely sweet – served on Sheila’s toasted sour dough bread proves to be a regular favourite breakfast.

Just as our plants are starting to fruit less, our friends and neighbours donate some of their excess. Today Sheila is roasting some of these, with garlic and herbs, to make an intense sauce for pasta.

One surprise success was the tiny cherry tomatoes. I decide not to buy any plants,  but our friend Ginette arrived one day with 2 plants that had self seeded in her fathers garden from last year. We had 2 large pots, filled with compost from last year so we decided to plant them. Not expecting much success we now find ourselves with lots and lots – great for an aperitif!

I am missing the harvest from past years when we made jars of passatta and chutneys. Next year!!