Spaghetti Sauce

[Tarlam!]

I can certainly think of greater sins.

Cooking sins worthy of a thread, 31?

[Patler]

I have never had the pleasure of having a patch of dirt large enough to grow my own tomatoes. I know what it's like using my own thyme, oregano and stuff. It must be sensational using real produce that you nurtured. You lucky so-and-so.

You don't need a patch of dirt to grow tomatoes. All you need is room for the largest pot you can find, then pick your variety to suit. I grew two plants in a half of a wine barrel. I don't raise a lot of them any more, but still raise a few plants each year. I have plenty of space for a garden, but to give my tomatoes better sun I often grow them in the largest pots I have (20"??) right on my deck. I stake them and prune them, so they require little more than the vertical space above the pot. My neighbor bought an upside down kit, with several plants in a large bag suspended from the stand. It worked very well. The plants cascaded down to the ground and produced very well.

Several years ago I found a nursery that is part of a vegetable club to preserve heirloom varieties of vegetables. The club scours the country to find old, old varieties that are no longer common and they raise and preserve seeds. Some absolutely fabulous tomatoes with amazing flavor! Recent years I have grown three plants each year. I pick one of the earliest varieties I can find, one of the latest, and one in between. I tend to look for smaller varieties, and have gotten some unique ones, purple, black, yellow and red striped, one with almost no seed cavity at all. Only one was horrible, its "unique" taste (or so the label said) was a funky, musty taste that I really did not care for at all. Each year I try something different, just for the heck of it.

[3irty1]

Cooking sins worthy of a thread, 31?

Probably is.

[3irty1]

You don't need a patch of dirt to grow tomatoes. All you need is room for the largest pot you can find, then pick your variety to suit. I grew two plants in a half of a wine barrel. I don't raise a lot of them any more, but still raise a few plants each year. I have plenty of space for a garden, but to give my tomatoes better sun I often grow them in the largest pots I have (20"??) right on my deck. I stake them and prune them, so they require little more than the vertical space above the pot. My neighbor bought an upside down kit, with several plants in a large bag suspended from the stand. It worked very well. The plants cascaded down to the ground and produced very well.

Several years ago I found a nursery that is part of a vegetable club to preserve heirloom varieties of vegetables. The club scours the country to find old, old varieties that are no longer common and they raise and preserve seeds. Some absolutely fabulous tomatoes with amazing flavor! Recent years I have grown three plants each year. I pick one of the earliest varieties I can find, one of the latest, and one in between. I tend to look for smaller varieties, and have gotten some unique ones, purple, black, yellow and red striped, one with almost no seed cavity at all. Only one was horrible, its "unique" taste (or so the label said) was a funky, musty taste that I really did not care for at all. Each year I try something different, just for the heck of it.

I worked with a guy who did something that sounds alot like that club. He had some pretty wild looking tomatoes. My favorite was these tiny yellow pear-shaped cherry tomatoes.

[mraynrand]

patler, you should get that Topsy turvey tomato planter - to save your back from agony. Then, you can get the teeter hang up device, and pick your tomatoes while you're upside down!

[GrnBay007]

I tried putting a couple tomato plants in big pots one year and it didn't work so well. But I know several people who plant them that way and it works for them. Going to try it again this summer.

[Upnorth]

Potted tomatoes can dry out quick. Watch your moisture.
Also I like a little hot paprika in my meat sauce as it gives a nice earthy undertone. (Does that sound gay?)

[GrnBay007]

gives a nice earthy undertone. (Does that sound gay?)

LOL not at all. Kinda like putting some dark beer in chili ! Not sure if it's "earthy" but gives it an extra good flavor.

And yes, I think part of my problem was not watering the plants enough. I'll stay on task this summer. I absolutely love fresh tomatoes!!

[MJZiggy]

I'm not sure what kind to plant this year (besides the grape and roma). We tried mini beefsteaks last year and they didn't do well at all. They kept splitting and attracting more bugs than the other varieties. Any favorites? I'm also not planning squash or zucchini this year unless someone at work asks me to plant it. I get giant vegetables that no one eats.

[easy cheesy]

Jesus, where do you put the spaghetti?

I just throw it against the wall to see if I can get it to stick

[Patler]

I tried putting a couple tomato plants in big pots one year and it didn't work so well. But I know several people who plant them that way and it works for them. Going to try it again this summer.

Potted tomatoes can dry out quick. Watch your moisture.
Also I like a little hot paprika in my meat sauce as it gives a nice earthy undertone. (Does that sound gay?)

I water mine daily, and if it is really hot late in the summer when the plants are large, I water them twice a day. Mine have always done very well.

[Patler]

I worked with a guy who did something that sounds alot like that club. He had some pretty wild looking tomatoes. My favorite was these tiny yellow pear-shaped cherry tomatoes.

It is really kind of fun to grow the unusual looking ones, and most seem to have much better flavor than the common varieties marketed for home gardeners today.

[Joemailman]

I worked with a guy who did something that sounds alot like that club. He had some pretty wild looking tomatoes. My favorite was these tiny yellow pear-shaped cherry tomatoes.

If they are yellow and pear-shaped, why do you call them cherry tomatoes?

[gbgary]

veeery funny thread. i seldom venture to these other forums...don't know why really. i'm surprised skin hasn't made a noodle pulling joke.

[3irty1]

If they are yellow and pear-shaped, why do you call them cherry tomatoes?

I guess I should have said cherry-sized tomatoes.