Well, the Summer ticks on, and the garden is beginning to show its maturity. I'm seeding in what will become the Winter Garden: lots of greens, turnips, and beets, mainly.

The Pole Beans are producing ten meals worth of beans every two days, and I'm close to having my winter needs met. The Romas are getting to the end of their Determinate production time, and are finally petering out. I have, between canned jars and freezer bags, forty quarts of tomatoes set up for winter. Plus another 15 pints of roasted tomatoes, and 18 pints of salsa (that salsa won't make it til Christmas).

Today, I am roasting what looks like the last ten pounds of Romas that I'll get en masse. I have been spending a LOT of time picking and drying Basil, Oregano, Sage, Rosemary and Parsley in the dehydrator. It'll be nice having that on hand without paying money at the store.

While the tomatoes roast, I went out and picked an assortment of Yellow and Green Bell Peppers, some Sweet Banana Peppers, and a mess of Jalapenos, and am going to roast, skin, can, and pack them away for Winter, too.

I found this recipe for easily-canned roasted peppers at CopyKat Chat Forum. I think it replicates the type you might buy at a grocery store, so I'm going to try it, today. Recipe follows after the break.

Wow, does this place need to open the windows, and get a breath of fresh air. Lucky for us, I have just the thing-- a fantastic way of preserving your Summer tomato harvest...

This week, I came across this wonderful recipe for preserved roasted tomatoes. As I already have 15 quarts of tomatoes put up, and had a mountain more on the counter (perhaps 25 pounds, or more), and the plants are still loaded with ripening Romas, I thought that I'd give it a try. Yesterday, we had an administrative day off due to a big change of leadership ceremony well-done, and so, I decided to give it a try. Let me tell you-- the results are spectacular, and my house smelled wonderful all day!

via Grist

Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes

Makes about 3 pint jars

10 pounds heirloom tomatoes
1 head of garlic, cloves separated but not peeled
A couple of shallots, halved, but not peeled, optional
A handful of thyme sprigs
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2-3 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
Your favorite fresh herbs for tomatoes—basil, marjoram, or oregano
A few dried red chili peppers, optional

Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper or foil. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.

Good drink and good food are natural partners so it's no suprise that winemakers are often gardeners, and I'm no exception. A successful vegetable garden means plenty of produce to eat, give away, and preserve. Although most of my garden was wiped out this year by flooding in the area (Before and After), I still had enough tomatoes to can a batch of sauce this past weekend.