Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Surplus garden bounty? Make Gazpacho!

 
This summer has been excellent for my garden and I will bet for yours too! We've had the heat, the rain, the humidity and now my garden is producing a bounty that is hard to keep up with. But what do you do when you've made all of the pickles you can use, made salsa, sauce, frozen vegetables and have run out of ideas what to put up next in your larder for the winter? I have the answer! Make Gazpacho!

Gazpacho is a soup made of raw vegetables and served cold, usually with a tomato base. Gazpacho originated in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia.  And, Gazpacho is the perfect solution to the question, "What do I do with all of these fresh vegetables?".  

It always seems too, that when you are doing the bulk of your canning and preserving, the temperature soars to the 100+ temperatures...or at least feels like it.  Once again, Gazpacho will bring welcome relief to meal planning because it is a cold, fresh soup that fills you up without heating up the kitchen.

This is how I make Gazpacho:

Gazpacho
 
Ingredients:
  • 2 lb tomatoes, peeled, cored and seeded (about 6 medium)
  • 1 lb cucumbers, peeled, seeded, chopped (about 2 medium)
  • 1 cup chopped onion  (about 1 large onion)
  • 1 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery (about 1 stalk)
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (Optional.  You can also add hot sauce or cayenne pepper)  
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 4 Tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped.  (I used a combination of fresh parsley and thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
  1. COMBINE all ingredient in a large bowl or stock pot.
  2. LADLE soup into clean jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace.  Place lids and band or plastic storage caps on jars.  Twist on lids and label.
  3. FREEZE up to 1 year.


That's it!  That's all you do and you can enjoy your GAZPACHO today and also once the snow begins to fly and you have a craving for fresh vegetables in the winter.  All  you'll need to do is pull out a jar or two from your freezer and thaw.

I LOVE GAZPACHO with a grilled cheese sandwich.  That sounds like year round comfort food, doesn't it?

ENJOY!!


 
Until next time,
Cheers!
 
Jennifer
 
 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:
 
The Dedicated House Make It Pretty MondayWonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday'sShare it One More Time, Much Ado About MondayFeathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic FridayThe Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays Sweet and Savory Sunday This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment. I truly appreciate them.