KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – TAKE CARE OF THAT SUMMER HARVEST

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – TAKE CARE OF THAT SUMMER HARVEST

We all know this summer season has not been all we hoped it would. Though no fault of our own the cool wet spring followed by an equally cool summer has caused no end of problems in the garden. From fruit not setting at all to green tomatoes sitting not ripening we have seen it all this year. If you have extra veggies hooray! Here are a few tips to preserve them.

Green beans

Blanch in boiling water for two minutes plunge in ice water bath dry and freeze in Ziploc bags. This also works for snap peas and English peas that have been removed from their pods.

Jalapenos

Boil a solution of one part vinegar to one part water. Fill clean boiled mason jars with trimmed and clean peppers. Fill to the top of the peppers with the vinegar solution. Top with boiling water soaked lids and rings. Store in a dark cool pantry or cupboard.

Tomatoes

With a sharp paring knife make a small cross-cut in the bottom of the tomato. Drop into simmering water. After a minute the skin will start to slough off. Remove with a slotted spoon and cool in ice water. Quarter the tomatoes and fill to the top of Ziploc freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Freeze flat.

Herbs

Tie herbs in a bundle. Put in a paper bag and hang upside down in an airy room. Herbs can also be dried in a very low oven. Cool crush and place in an airtight container. Keep in a dark place.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO