h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi folks,

We are having a great harvest this year, tons of veg and not needed to buy anything from the supermarket for weeks which is great. To add to the never-ending supply of courgettes we now have a massive glut of tomatoes. I am going to make a chutney, have already made a sauce, but is it possible to 'sun-dry' toms in the oven? I don't want to waste the time trying it if it definitely doesn't work.

Also, for pickling beetroot - do you just boil it and cover with vinegar?

Yes you can do them in the oven. Just when you need one, though, I don't have a handy. If you can wait until tomorrow I can give you his professional advice about the tomatoes.

He can probably tell you about beetroot too.
(what I want to know is: how do you get time for gardening? I have about 30 carrots, we had peas and my tomatoes are still green)

We don't get a lot of time, but J goes for a few hours most weekends. As well as all the food, we have a remarkable crop of weeds...

If the tame has any ideas for things that can be done with cauliflower that don't involve cheese they would be much appreciated too

I made a big vat of beetroot and courgette pickle-type stuff that is delicious, but suspect all these pickles are going to be a little samey...

For Cauliflower I like to melt some butter and add some smushed up garlic and the chopped flesh of some tomatoes (not seeds as it goes too watery) it then gets poured over the cauliflower.

It has a name but i forget now what it is.

I'll ask too.

Cauliflower:

I like it raw with cherries, cumin and dressed with olive oil, salt and vinegar.

Some recipes:

1-Boiled and dressed with fried garlic and a bit of pimentón (paprika is similar) vinegar and salt.

2- Boiled and deep fried.

3-Boiled and dressed with bechamel, almonds or pine nuts.

4-in the oven with butter, lemon juice, parsley and boiled egg.

::
I´ve learnt this summer a new recipe with courgettes.

Put thin, very thin slices of it to macerate with lemon juice, salt, pepper and dill. (Garlic too, but I prefer it without it)
After a few hours, you can use it (without the liquid). With olive oil is enough. But, you can add it smoked salmon, anchovies, cheese and tomato...



I want an orchard

Lucky you!

For the tomatoes cut them in half, sprinkle with salt, a tiny bit of sugar, whatever herbs you fancy and drizzle them with olive oil.
stick them in a preheated oven at 220°C/gas mark 7 and turn it off. Leave the tomatoes in the oven overnight without opening the door. Yum!

For the cauliflower have you tried making soup? boil in some stock then puree with or without a blob of cream or splash of milk at the end.

said: Cauliflower à la Greque. (with coriander - the spice rather than the leaves)