Tuesday, September 4, 2012

angelica and tomatoes


I've been reading that angelica seeds and roots are fragrant. From the number of bees always on the blossoms, I thought they, too, would be fragrant. But no. I'm anxious to dry the seeds and root now though. It's quite exciting to know that I'll soon experience a new fragrance, one I've never known before.



It is the year of the tomato in my garden. Unlike last year and the year before, a person does get lucky now and then. I've streamlined my tomato-sauce-making even more by eliminating onions, garlic, and other seasonings from the roasting pan and it's still the best sauce I've ever tasted. I think the secret is to combine different varieties of tomatoes -- beefsteak, plum, cherry, and whatever else you have. These are all heirloom varieties but I can't remember any names now except Cherokee Purple. And I also think the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes is irreplaceable.

Tomato Sauce: Coat a roasting pan with a little olive oil. Cut 3½ pounds of various fresh tomatoes into chunks and toss with a little more olive oil. You don't need to peel or seed them. Roast at 375 degrees for one hour. Let cool a little and blend into a puree -- I use an immersion blender. Pour the puree through a large sieve first, then pour into pint-size jars and freeze. 

Pretty easy.


9 comments:

  1. My Grandmother used to candy Angelica. http://www.gardenherbs.org/candied_angelica.htm
    For the life of me, I can't remember what it tasted like. I love the plant. It reminds me of Queen Anne's Lace and at least I can grow Angelica here. Wishing you a beautiful week.

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  2. what a pretty plant. i'll have to look it up and see if it grows well here. it sure does attract those beautiful bees.

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  3. Nothing like a home-grown tomato! Beautiful purple flower :)

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  4. what a lovely picture of the bees and flower..
    and mmm to olive oil and tomatoes.

    p.s. lovely full moon art. I saw more of it this time around...not so cloudy. : )
    <3

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  5. I need to remember this. This year, last year were not tomato years. But maybe next year...

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  6. ok, catching up on so much goodness here...delicious looking sauce & that bee photo is amazing! i love your blue moon cloth with all of the weavings of cloth & stripes going through it. i did finish that cowl, but not until the eve of the blue moon. & finally, i have lined knitted scarves w/cotton fabric, or maybe thin wool would work (if you're not allergic) then you wouldn't have fraying edges, or felting it would allow you to cut it up for another project easily. so many choices! i hope you'll find a way to enjoy it cheery design.

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  7. Jeannie, thanks for that link -- so cool that you had that experience, I've heard of candied angelica, I'm thinking it should've been done in the spring with a second year plant. But I'll find out!

    Deanna, yes, the bees seem to be very attracted to it...

    Nanette, yes!

    Nancy, thanks, squirrels have been at them the last few days, one bite out of the biggest best tomatoes!

    Marie, thank you -- think I read somewhere the blue moon looked pink in the east??

    Deb, I have felt your pain! ;)

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  8. Cindy, hey thanks! The moon cloth is one of my older ones from one of Jude's early classes -- nice to have it appear at just the right time. And thanks for your input on the scarf, too. Still haven't decided. Maybe I should block it first and go from there...coming to visit you to see your cowl!

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