Summer Treasures and Tomato Chutney

Although Summer is still in full swing there are signs that the garden is winding down. Leaves are falling from the fruit trees and pears and apples are giving up their treasure. Blackberries shine out where the brambles have sneaked in here and there.

Glowing autumn colours lighten up the garden now. Rudbeckias are favourites in my garden with their glorious yellow petals and nearly black centres. They shine out on even the dullest day.

My “Scarborough Fair” rose is flowering well. A bit prickly but with a lovely scent, it does well in a large pot. It’s good for insects too with its open blossom.

Under the fruit trees a few white cyclamen brighten the shadowy ground among the falling apples. Although they don’t spread in our dry soil the few who succeed are very welcome.

Lots of wildlife about this month. We saw a large dragonfly whizzing about. Didn’t manage to snap a photo but here are some other things which visit or live in the garden.

The last photo is of a large Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar burrowing into the soil to begin its metamorphosis into an adult moth. Fascinating. I haven’t seen the moths in the garden but often wondered if they were about. Now I know!

The squashes are coming on well. I love to see them growing and their colours developing. These are new to me this year. I normally grow a delicious one called “Buttercup” but the seeds failed. I am trying “Uchiki kuri” and “Turk’s Turban”. I hope they’ll be as tasty.

The courgettes have been generous. Such a productive vegetable and has so many uses. Last time I included on my blog my recipe for delicious Courgette and Ginger Cake. This week I pickled some. Just cut into chunks and with the addition of sliced onions I preserved them in spiced malt vinegar. They will soften and be very tasty with winter meals.

My tomatoes have been very slow but my neighbour very kindly gave me two baskets of plum tomatoes. I decided to try some tomato chutney. Wasn’t very keen on any recipes I found so I made my own. I just made two and a half jars because it was an experiment but it turned out really well. Sweet but very tasty.

Here’s my recipe .

Red Tomato Chutney
1kg Plum Tomatoes
300g Onions
250g Sugar
2 heaped teaspoons Mustard Powder
1 heaped teaspoon Ground Ginger
2 teaspoons Salt
grind of Pepper
250mls Malt Vinegar
Put the tomatoes in a heat proof bowl or pan and cover with boiling water from the kettle. Leave for a couple of minutes, then drain and cool slightly. 
Remove the tomato skins and discard.
Peel and chop the onions finely.
Put the tomatoes and onions in a large pan and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
Wash and thoroughly rinse three jars, preferably with plastic lids. Put the jars into a cold oven and turn the heat to low. Dry the lids and put aside but not in the oven.
Add all the other ingredients.
Boil rapidly until thickened, stirring occasionally and turning down the heat towards the end. Takes about half an hour.
Cover the worktop by the stove with a folded teatowel or newspaper. I use a large wooden chopping board covered with kitchen paper. Hot jars on a cold surface would cause thermal shock and crack the jars, so this prevents that happening.
Have a funnel and ladle ready. 
Using a cloth, remove a jar at a time from the oven and ladle the chutney into the jars while still hot. Almost fill but leave a couple of centimetres free at the top.  Screw the lid on tightly straight away. This usually ensures the jars seal as a vacuum is created.
Label and store in a cool dark place. 
I haven't tested this for long term storage but it should keep.

After working in the kitchen it’s nice to stroll around the garden and relax.

I have started painting at last! Not finished yet, so more of that next time. Meanwhile I hope you’re enjoying all that late Summer has to offer. With you again in a couple of weeks. Bye for now.