Author Archives: diary of a tomato

Pea Pod Broth

Posted on July 11, 2013 by diary of a tomato

So much of cooking, especially preserving, is born of necessity. It’s always disturbed me that we didn’t use the pods left from shelling peas. Their skins dense with pea flavor, it seemed a wasted opportunity to just chuck them in … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, preserving | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

7.8.13 Shell Peas and Greens

Posted on July 8, 2013 by diary of a tomato

The peas we bring home from the farmers’ market are mostly for preserving, while the homegrown ones are solely reserved for eating right away. The first planting of them are finally ready, while the second batch has come to halt … Continue reading →

Posted in garden, preserving | Tagged , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Red, White and Blue Potato Salad with Peas

Posted on July 4, 2013 by diary of a tomato

New potatoes are popping up at the farmers’ market, with these red, white and blue ones arriving just in time for an Independence Day picnic. Steam them in their jackets, let cool, and toss with a cupful of freshly shelled … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

7.1.13 Days of Vegetables and Roses

Posted on July 1, 2013 by diary of a tomato

A thick hedge of rosa rugosas borders two sides of our vegetable garden. They were already here when we moved in, and, though they’re not thought of as companions, are excellent at attracting natural pollinators to the garden. Rhubarb leftover … Continue reading →

Posted in garden, preserving | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Local Food: Portsmouth Farmers’ Market

Posted on June 30, 2013 by diary of a tomato

‘Tis the season! From the Portsmouth Farmers’ Market, June 29th: Napa cabbage from Black Kettle Farm; turnips, cilantro, snap peas and chard from Meadow’s Mirth; beets and summer squash from New Roots Farm; tomatoes and peas from Riverside Farm; celery from Shagbark Farm; pan di … Continue reading →

Posted in interlude, local food | Tagged | 6 Comments

Barley Scones with Rhubarb-Ginger Jam

Posted on June 28, 2013 by diary of a tomato

I’m a terrible shopper when traveling. Fortunately, the Gardener is not. Other husbands may bring home gifts of meat. Much like the Will Ferrell character in the movie Stranger than Fiction, mine brings me flours. There was buckwheat flour from a … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, preserving | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Reykjavik, Part 4: Cod Wars and Hot Dogs

Posted on June 26, 2013 by diary of a tomato

Iceland’s history is inextricably bound with that of fishing, for sustenance as well as for export. As these two paintings hanging in our hotel depict, while the men fished, the women processed — dried cod in earlier days, salted herring later. … Continue reading →

Posted in field trip | Tagged , | 4 Comments