Author Archives: diary of a tomato

Putting Up: Quick Pickled Asparagus + Preserving Round-Up

Posted on May 23, 2014 by diary of a tomato

It may be the result of a late spring or that many local farmers are now growing it, but for the first time there’s enough asparagus around to consider putting some of it up. After considering our options (see Resources: Preserving Asparagus below), we decided … Continue reading →

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5.19.14 Asparagus — Roasted with Green Garlic

Posted on May 20, 2014 by diary of a tomato

This week’s harvest of asparagus marks the first real harvest of the season. In a fit of scorpacciata, we’ll be indulging in these as much as we can these next few weeks. We never tire of them simply roasted, and tossed … Continue reading →

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Putting Up: Victorian Barbecue Sauce + Rhubarb Ketchup

Posted on May 16, 2014 by diary of a tomato

The rhubarb was so late coming up this spring, we thought they hadn’t survived the harsh winter and bought a back-up plant just in case. So when they finally did appear in the garden this week, it hardly seemed fair to have a … Continue reading →

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Banh Bot Loc Tran — Vietnamese Tapioca Dumplings

Posted on May 14, 2014 by diary of a tomato

When we first heard we were going to make naked dumplings, we weren’t sure what to expect. Through Kittery Adult Education, Rose of Van Vietnamese Cooking was again offering a fun series of classes, and we quickly signed up for the one making Bánh Bột … Continue reading →

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5.12.14 Sing a song of Spring

Posted on May 12, 2014 by diary of a tomato

“Sing a song of Spring!” cried the sunshine of the May, And into bloom the whole world burst in one delicious day! — Celia Thaxter From our house, we can see the Isles of Shoals, where the poet Celia Thaxter kept … Continue reading →

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Pajeon — Savory Korean Pancakes with Green Garlic

Posted on May 11, 2014 by diary of a tomato

In a shift from winter back to cooking in the moment, we followed our noses and found fragrant green garlic at the Exeter Farmers’ Market, freshly dug from Meadow’s Mirth Farm. We came away with a heady armful, and quickly made … Continue reading →

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Fatto a Mano — Pasta by Hand

Posted on May 9, 2014 by diary of a tomato

I did a presentation on the whimsical pasta of the city of Matera for my Italian class, and prepared several different shapes to bring in and show, per mostrare e raccontare. The pasta was formed by hand with a basic dough made from semolina flour and water. Clockwise, from top left: Minnicchi, made … Continue reading →

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