Ever wanted to make tomato soup from scratch using only fresh garden vegetables? Look no further and say hello to the incredible taste of this easy homemade tomato soup. Canned soup will be a thing of the past. Using the freshest ingredients, you’ll transform basic pantry staples into a tasty, comforting soup that can be enjoyed year-round. We like to freeze this soup for up to nine months in 2-cup portions in glass containers, so it is simple to take out and heat up quickly for a quick lunch!
There’s nothing quite like the burst of flavor from a bowl of fresh garden salsa. Made with ripe, homegrown ingredients, this salsa recipe captures the season’s essence in every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener with a bounty of produce or simply looking to savor something fresh, this recipe is a must-try.
The Beauty of Homegrown Ingredients
One of the secrets to an exceptional garden salsa lies in your chosen ingredients. When you grow your own vegetables, you can pick them at their peak. See below for some tips on identifying tomatoes that are ready to harvest.
Ingredients
- 1 cup each
- Tomato
- Cucumber
- Green pepper
- ½ cup onion
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- A small bottle of taco sauce, approx. 8 ounces
Directions
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Serve
Serve with chips or add to burritos.
Store in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to a week.
Harvesting Tomatoes
The flavor of a truly ripe tomato is sweet and flavorful. If the tomato tastes bland or overly tart, it may need more time on the vine.
Look
Color: The most obvious sign is the color of the tomato. Depending on the variety, ripe tomatoes can range from red, orange, yellow, pink, or even purple. Look for vibrant, uniform color across the entire fruit. Green or pale areas usually indicate unripe tomatoes.
Firmness: Ripe tomatoes should be firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure when you squeeze them. They shouldn’t feel hard like a rock, nor should they be overly soft or mushy.
Texture: Examine the surface of the tomato. It should be smooth and glossy, without any wrinkles or blemishes. Wrinkles can be a sign of over-ripeness.
Size: Most tomatoes will reach their mature size before they fully ripen. Be familiar with the expected size of your specific tomato variety, and if they’ve reached that size, they are likely ready for harvest.
Feel
Gently grasp the tomato and twist it upward. If it easily separates from the stem with a slight twist, it’s likely ripe and ready to be picked. If the tomato resists, it may need more time on the vine.
Smell
Ripe tomatoes often have a sweet, earthy aroma at their stem end. Give it a sniff… if it smells rich and tomatoey, it’s probably ripe.
Garden Tips
- Check the seed packet or plant label for the estimated days to maturity. This is a rough guideline for when to start checking for ripeness. Remember that this is just an estimate, and ripening can vary due to weather conditions.
- Extreme heat or heavy rainfall can impact the ripening process. Pay attention to the weather and adjust your harvesting schedule accordingly.
- It’s better to harvest slightly underripe tomatoes and allow them to finish ripening indoors if you’re concerned about pests or extreme weather conditions.
- Remember that not all tomatoes on the same plant will ripen simultaneously. Regularly check your tomato plants for ripe fruit and harvest them as they reach their prime.
