September harvest

Tomatoes!

Although our own tomatoes did not grow in such abundance, thankfully the Munson Family Farms did!

On Saturday I bought 45 lbs of seconds to sauce. Every year since 1994 we have made a sauce from Marcella Hazan which feeds us nearly every week from September - June.

The sauce is simple. Just dice up as many tomatoes as you have available and cook down. Add an onion cut in half and 2-4 tablespoons butter. Let simmer for 45 minutes. Run sauce through food mill. Freeze in 3 cup servings in quart freezer bags. When you are ready to use, thaw and let sauce simmer to thicken. We eat it just like that over pasta with some fresh Parmesan. It's our ultimate comfort food. I had to shoo Stella away several times as she kept sneaking spoonfuls out of my pot. It's just that good.

Last night Doug wanted to make a "fancy meal". Stella had seen "Julia and Julie" this summer and wanted to make Beef Bourguignon. So, on a steamy Labor Day, Doug and Stella set about to make this classic dish. I made a zuchini/spinach gratin to accompany. We got out our china, dressed up and had an absolutely delicious meal. We would've opened up a nice bottle of something, but Doug had to leave this morning at 4am for Thermopolis, Wyoming where is he writing a story about cattle which are bred by Native Americans without any predatory control.

Hope all is well in PA!

Miss you a ton....
Love,
A