Living off the Smell of an Oily Rag » TomatoesLiving off the Smell of an Oily Rag

Tomato lover

reader — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 18:40:55 +0000

Tomato lover has sent in this tip for using dried tomatoes.

“To make sun-dried tomato hummus, cheaper than store bought, make a basic hummus recipe and add 5-6 chopped sun-dried tomatoes, with some of the oil from the jar. Whip up into a creamy delicious hummus mix in the food processor.”

Michael, Auckland.

reader — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 05:07:42 +0000

If you or a friend have one tomato plant it is really easy to get many freebies. Use the laterals. These are the ‘unwanted’ side shoots that you are told to remove. Do remove them. As you do your gardening keep a cup of water handy, carefully pull the shoot off and put the shoot in the water. After about 3 days in water the shoots will start to grow roots. A new plant. Once the roots are about 1-2cm long plant them into pots of mix or compost & soil, then after a week or so into the garden. If you have some fine gravel or pumice put this in the water the shoots are in. It helps to keep the roots separate, grow stronger & easier to pot on.

Always plant standard tomatoes deep so the top is just above soil level. The original roots are deeper, closer to water and the buried stem will grow roots allowing the plant to grow faster & healthier.

P & J Funnell.

reader — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 05:04:10 +0000

One can grow tomatoes inside. Transplant seedlings, when need be put in a warm sunspot & you’ve got a plant growing!

Tui, Thames.

reader — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 05:03:19 +0000

Here’s a trick to remove the green from your hands when working with tomatoes. Take a tomato (preferably one leftover) and squash it in your hands and rub. The green stain will come off. We did this when I picked tomatoes commercially and it really does work.

Anonymous

reader — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 04:58:35 +0000

Tomatoes require plenty of water when fruiting. The hose is useless on a hot summer’s day. Take a two litre plastic bottle, drink the contents, put a pin hole in the side down at the bottom of the bottle, then fill with water and place it in the garden by the tomato plant. Remove the pin and a fine stream of water will run out, taking about 4 hours to empty. The water will not affect the tomato on such a fine day, and it will get the full benefit, resulting in more fruit. Do this daily in fine weather.

Apteryx, Kaipara.

reader — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 23:26:39 +0000

Bernie, Christchurch

reader — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 05:02:17 +0000

To make the most delicious sun-dried tomatoes you’ve ever tasted, you need firm, ripe tomatoes, salt, dried basil, a metal oven tray with a lip, and a cake rack that fits inside the oven tray. Cut tomatoes in half from the stem to the bottom. If large, cut in half again. Remove any tough bits around the stem area. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and give them to the chooks. Insert the cake rack into the oven tray. Place the prepared tomatoes on the cake rack cut side up and fairly close together as they will shrink as they dry. Sprinkle with salt and basil. Put the tray on the dashboard of your car (or on the rear window sill if it’s wide enough). Roll up all the windows and park in a sunny spot. Start first thing in the morning and bring the tray inside at sunset. It may take two days for them to dry properly. When ready, they should be flexible like a raisin, leathery not brittle. Cool to room temperature then package in 100g lots in plastic bags, excluding all air, and store in the freezer. When you are ready to use them, you will need to pack them in oil first – just take out one bag at a time and layer the tomato slices in a small sterilised jar with a bay leaf, 3 peppercorns, a whole peeled garlic clove and a red chilli. Pour in sufficient extra virgin olive oil to cover the tomatoes. Cover tightly with a lid. Store in refrigerator and wait at least 3 days before using. Use within 2 weeks.