With below-freezing temps headed our way it was time to pluck the last of the green tomatoes from the plants. I assigned the job to the wee ones and it was one they really enjoyed.
Especially when they found happy smiling green tomatoes.
They picked several pounds of tomatoes and I promised I'd make a pie. Because when life hands you green tomatoes, you make green tomato pie, right? And fried green tomatoes, and piccalilli, and green tomato bread, and and and... They're far too precious a commodity to toss to the chickens, though the little sneaks did manage to grab a couple.
The pie was quite good and was well-received. It tasted very much like an apple pie with a consistency that reminded me of rhubarb. A splash of apple cider vinegar lent a nice tartness to it and countered the sweet. I would (and am expected to, like asap) make this again.
This is the recipe I used for the pie, and I always use Martha Stewart's instructions for the crust. (though I don't have a food processor so I do that bit by hand). A note about the recipe, even though I used roma tomatoes, which aren't very juicy, I did add extra flour as suggested by the recipe reviews. The filling turned out great, not too runny, just right.
Delish!
Do you have any tips for using up the remains of the summer garden?
Ooo this sounds so interesting! This must be the weekend for pie. Both cranberry and apple were enjoyed at my house. I wonder what the fam would think of a green tomato pie.
ReplyDeletePeace!
For me, it's fried green tomatoes later today when Ed and his buddies are completely dirty and exhilarated from karting on the track out by the barn. But Green Tomato Pie . . . hmmm . .
ReplyDeleteI love green tomatoes and am adventurous with my food so I would make this. Did you have to drain the juices?
ReplyDeleteTateTwo - good question! I used roma tomatoes which aren't very juicy so I didn't have to drain them. I did add extra flour though, as the reviews I read suggested that. Thanks for the reminder, I'll update the post.
ReplyDeleteWe just picked our , still green, tomatoes too. So many great ideas about what to do with them - thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I just lost all my tomato plants to black spot. It has been getting in the 30s at night and it's been too wet. It was my first season growing in the Pacific Northwest and the weather threw me a little bit. Next year I'll pull the green tomatoes earlier and try out some of your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteI am sitting in a warm pool of sunshine after a few hours of leaf cleanup and am enjoying your photos immensely, especially the one of your daughter with that halo of blonde hair. Enjoy the last of your harvest that you worked so hard for. The pie sounds yummy! Back outside for the last hour or so of sun/fun. . . .
ReplyDeletegreen tomatoes - mmm chow chow!
ReplyDeletecan't you also wrap them in newspaper, put them in storage and they will ripen and keep?
Oh you are my hero!! Our growing season was so short this year that my main big tomato plant didn't start really producing until last month so now I have around 6 big green tomatoes. We like fried green tomatoes alright, but I wanted something different, and I will be making a green tomato pie tonight! Never heard of it till now, but we will certainly try it!
ReplyDeleteokay, now i am hungry again
ReplyDeleteeven though I just ate breakfast
I have never heard of green tomato pie but it sure does look good.
ReplyDelete