Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Sally PB]

This break in the heat is coming just in time for me to dry cherry tomatoes. My plants are loaded.

 

[Chickin Fairy]

The boys are finally starting to warm up to me and trust me And it's canning and pickling season here!

Would appreciate anyone who knows the best way to peel tomatoes?

 

[Sally PB]

Peeling tomatoes is EASY!

Put a small stab in the skin with a sharp knife. Dip it in simmer water until you see the skin start to split at the stab. Dip it in cold water.

Cut out the core, the skin peels off easily.

This works well for peaches too.

 

[Sally PB]

@Chickin Fairy, a bit more info...
I have a strainer that I use for dipping the tomato into the simmering water. It's a deep-ish one, which holds a bigger tomato. Then lift it out, put the strainer into a bowl of cold water.

It takes probably under a minute to scald each one.

 

[Folly's place]

I just tried AGAIN to make peach freezer jam, and again seem to have made peach sauce! Yummy, but not the plan. IF I decide to make peach jam again, it's going to be the cooked type.
And I don't love the 'easy' boiling water to ice water peeling thing at all.
Mary

 

[Sally PB]

And I don't love the 'easy' boiling water to ice water peeling thing at all.

Well, to be honest, I don't love it. But I haven't found any other way to peel tomatoes or peaches efficiently. This time of year, to have a saucepan of water simmering on the stove, adding to the humidity in the house... bleah.

Someone on one of the garden threads said she puts her tomatoes in the freezer as she gets them. Then when she has enough to can, she takes them out, lets them thaw, and the skins slip right off. I haven't tried that, but I don't have enough freezer space for all the tomatoes I'd need.

 

[Folly's place]

I'll be making tomato sauce, so I don't have to peel them! Wash, quarter, and boil tomatoes in a little bit of water, then run them through the Victorio strainer outside, way easier!
And then cook it down to desired thickness and can.
No peeling!
Mary

 

[BoundlessLove]

This vacation/celebration has been great so far!!
Rain or mist first two days.
Yesterday was a lovely day!
Sunny and a little windy, but not hot at all.
So far, we’ve visited Fort Michilimacinac and the lighthouse, toured the Icebreaker ship, walked through Mackinaw Crossing, bought fudge , eaten whitefish at Scalawags (twice), and drove across Mackinaw Bridge to St. Ignace.
I bought an older green Stanley thermos at an odds and ends store there. The older ones hold up better than the new.
Today’s plan - Mackinac Island.
Beautiful morning today!

 

[Sammster]

@lightm had a blind chicken, wrote an article about it.

Can you share a link, please?

 

[Sammster]

I'll be making tomato sauce, so I don't have to peel them! Wash, quarter, and boil tomatoes in a little bit of water, then run them through the Victorio strainer outside, way easier!
And then cook it down to desired thickness and can.
No peeling!
Mary

The skins have a lot of flavor. I'll be doing this, soon. I'll have to look up "Victorio Strainer"