The tomato tree

 

Because of the house move, we didn’t plant anything this spring and summer, but we did have a nice surprise: a volunteer tomato plant that sprang up in the garden and wrapped itself around a bush, turning into a mighty tomato tree. On our last visit, we discovered it to be full of red, ripe, beautiful (and delicious!) tomatoes.

We were surprised that the people who are currently renting our house didn’t pick them. Apparently, they thought tomatoes that don’t come from the store aren’t safe to consume.

We collected literally a bucketful of produce from this one plant, which just goes to show you don’t necessarily need a large garden to grow a lot of food. And there wasn’t a single worm or a sign of blight or rot! I have never seen such lovely tomatoes.

Also wanted to take this opportunity to wish a Shana Tova (happy new year) to all the Jewish people out there. In our family, Rosh haShana is always a double celebration, as it’s also our sweet Tehilla’s birthday. It’s unbelievable that 8 years have gone by already!

Author: Anna

An Orthodox Jewish wife and mother enjoying a simple life with her family and chickens, somewhere in the hills, in Israel.

13 thoughts on “The tomato tree”

  2. SO lovely that tomato tree did so well!! And the renters left it all for you!! A most blessed Shana Tova to you too!! Hope the new location will be wonderful this year and a very sweet year for you all!!

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  4. Happy new year to you and your family. I see some green tomatoes there… where I live, fried green tomatoes are a delicious indulgence. I dredge them lightly in flour, then give them a milk wash (add a little tobacco to the wash), and then add bread crumbs mixed with cornmeal. Pan fry them on a medium-high heat (in my opinion, shortening works best) until they’re crispy and lightly salt them while they rest on paper towels. Eat them plain, with red pepper sauce (here in the Southern US, there is a type of hot sauce that is not as hot as tobacco) or, to be truly decadent, a little ranch dressing! You’ll be wanting to speak like a US Southerner, saying, “Well, I delare!” It’s not a health food, but it sure is delicious.

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      1. Haha…from our years living in NC and VA, most likely Tabasco sauce is what is meant…it is on most restaurant tables…diner types especially… Fried pickles area also a delicacy…and I did enjoy some places where they used very thinly sliced pickles and fried them in a batter…and then of course, fried okra!! Onion rings…you name it…all tasty!!

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  5. Oh – just in case it’s not clear to you (I don’t know how odd fried green tomatoes sound to you) – slice them as you would if you were to pan fry breaded eggplant of zucchini. Too thick and they don’t cook enough, but too thin, they cook too much and the breading overpowers the taste of the fruit. Also, if you have buttermilk on hand, you can simply dredge them in buttermilk and then bread them. We don’t like drinking buttermilk, so I have to fake it with the 3-step method.

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