Dad was a farmer who took pride in preparing the earth, planting, watching the seedlings grow, and harvesting the rewards. He would drive daily to his fields to check the corn and beans. I don't know how many times I heard, "Come on, Mom, let's take a ride and check the crops."
The song "In the Garden" is special to all of our family. My grandma had one of the most beautiful flower gardens in the area. She worked very hard at it, and I remember my sister and I always going out to take a look. It was always so tempting to pick something, but we knew better! Grandma, of course, had a vegetable garden, but the colorful blooms caught our attention when we were little.
I love to plant a vegetable garden. Digging in the dirt, planting, watching the seedlings, and harvesting are some of my favorite summer past times. I sometimes go out and walk in it three or four times a day. Maybe it gives me a sense of contentment. When I mentioned this to my mom, she said that it was what Dad would do, and many of those memories came flooding back. That comment was special to me; perhaps spending time "In the Garden" is a trait that I inherited from Dad. I like to think so.
"I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known." (C. Austin Miles)
This is the time of year that tomatoes really start to ripen and burst with flavor. Most of the tomatoes that come from my garden go into making catsup. Yes, that's right, I make gallons of catsup every summer and fall. Tom and I didn't have a pre-nup ( there wasn't much to nup....hahahha); however, we joke that it was in the marriage contract that I had to make catsup. He loves it!!!! He eats it on just about everything.
In my opinion, it is an acquired taste because it is so sweet, but I do love to cook with it. (I still buy Heinz for myself.) This catsup does work as a special base to several things that I make. Baked beans, barbecue sauce, and meatloaf are not the same without this "Crosby Catsup." The recipe came from my mother-in-law Nancy, who learned it from her mother Violet Gatewood.
The simple recipe is not the task; the process is the trick. So here is my contribution from "In the Garden."
Barbara, this one is for you.
Crosby Catsup (or as Tom would say keeethcup ....tee hee)
1 gallon tomato juice
1 quart sugar
1 pint apple cider vinegar
salt to taste
sprinkle of cayenne pepper
- Use your own processing method for extracting the tomato juice (and hey, if it is buy the large cans at Sam's Club, no one will ever know!!!)
- Combine the juice, sugar, and vinegar in a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot. Allow room at the top for a rolling boil. It will scorch easily as it thickens if the pot is thin metal on the bottom.
- Throw in the salt and sprinkle on the cayenne. I only use a minimal amount of this pepper.
- Bring the mix to a boil and let it cook down until it is a thick consistency.
- Check and stir often to prevent sticking and scorching.
- This will take hours; so plan on the timing. It can be turned off and then back on to continue the thickening process.
- This batch makes about 4 pts. of catsup.
- I now just pack it in quart jars because I use so much in my cooking and Tom's eating.
- Use clean jars and lids ( you know the routine). Pack it just off of the boil, and you will not even have to process it any further. It will seal on its own. Just screw the lids on tight and listen for the "pings."
- Be careful; this is hot and will burn badly. Use canning safety precautions. Don't let the kids help with the cooking, packing, sealing. It can spatter; so just be aware.
- Of course, let your children pick the tomatoes, help squish them, clean up the mess - it builds character! hahahah
I use a Vitamix Machine. You may have seen these advertised on QVC, at the State Fair, or in cooking magazines. This machine helps to create a whole food product. In my catsup there is the flesh of the tomato, the skin, and perhaps even some seeds.
The motion of this machine is so powerful that it breaks down everything into a smooth puree.
- Wash the tomatoes.
- Take out the core.
- Squish the tomato over a bowl, bucket, etc. to get out as much water and seeds as possible.
- Process the tomatoes.
Once you have 1 gallon of juice, add the remaining ingredients.
Begin the cooking. I start my burner on High, then adjust as needed. You know your stove.
Just keep cooking.
And cooking.....
Now it is time to put it into the jar and seal it.
The "Crosby Catsup
