Dann becomes the new Martha

Dann is in the running to be the next Martha Stewart, only he's a lot cuter and has a lot more integrity.  But do his kitchen and garden skills measure up?  I have been on the road more often than not it seems the last several weeks and if you farm in Northern Climes you know what September is - TOMATOES!  It really can be descriped in that one word the first week of September the grape tomatoes were coming in gallons each day (yes, that is plural), they have slowed down only to be replaced with the Plum (San Marzano) and Sandwich (Moskovich).  I know there have been a lot of tomatoes when I can't even entice the Ladies to enjoy them as a treat anymore, they look at me as if to say "Tomatoes, AGAIN?"

As I don't want to drive my husband away we are only freezing garden harvests at this time.  While I'm on the road freezing entails simply washing and putting grape tomatoes in freezer bags, and coring the other two varieites and freezing.  Freezing tomatoes can really be that simple.  When they thaw the skins come right off so no need for boiling and ice baths in the hot summer months.  The sauce/salsa, etc will have to happen at a later date. 

This weekend when I was home I was able to de-seed many plum tomatoes prior to freezing which will make for better sauce, but I did not get a chance to blanch the green beans before leaving.  Last night involved a phone call home where I instructed Dann on the finer points of blanching.  This evening's call was a reminder to harvest the tomatoes even in the rain b/c they don't stop growing, they just crack open.  I don't want to stress him related to the other vegetables at this time, so we are just focusing on the one, which happens to occupy 7 beds, about 15 feet long each, in our garden.  I think that's keeping him mighty busy. I am hopefully the other vegetables and fruits will be fine until the weekend.

Oh and all of this is happening while Dann is building the Ladies new home...I can not wait to share pictures of our 2012 Garden design!!

NOW, if I only had my camera while he was blanching the green beans!