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Post by lizpurlo on Aug 22, 2014 16:58:31 GMT 1
I've managed to grow some magnificent tomato plants this year, all outside on my patio. And the branches are laden with lovely tomatoes, but they're obstinately remaining green, and as hard as bullets!
Is there still a chance that they'll ripen, or am I just going to have to make some chutney? (Which I've never done before, but I don't want to waste them.)
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Post by ruthp on Aug 22, 2014 19:39:25 GMT 1
Try putting banana skins underneath them. The chemicals from ripe bananas tell other fruit it's time to ripen. But you will need some sun too!
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Post by sophy on Aug 22, 2014 23:22:12 GMT 1
There is still time for them to ripen. My big tomatoes are only just starting to change colour. I find it helps to remove some of the leaves so the sun can get to them though.
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Post by lizpurlo on Aug 23, 2014 0:11:18 GMT 1
Brilliant, thanks, both. I can remove leaves and add banana skins but sadly can't do much about the sunshine! I grew some little tiny ones in my mini greenhouse last year, and I think they went redder, quicker. Good to know that there's still time for these ones to ripen. Fingers crossed for some late summer sun.
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Post by jen1 on Aug 23, 2014 22:09:49 GMT 1
oo fried green toms, yummy, ! mi old nan bless her used to put them on a window sill to ripen
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Post by lizpurlo on Aug 23, 2014 23:44:59 GMT 1
LOL Jen, yes, I guess you can just fry 'em up! - don't they give you a bellyache though?? I did add a few of my wee ones which didn't ripen last year to stews and so on, and very nice they were too. Could never persuade them to turn red on the windowsill though!
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Post by lizpurlo on Aug 23, 2014 23:45:23 GMT 1
Bloomin 'puter posted it twice. Grrrrr.
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Post by jen1 on Aug 24, 2014 15:33:45 GMT 1
you dip them in egg wash and corn seasoned corn flour and deep fry them, look up recipes i think they originate from the deep south
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Post by happysnail on Aug 24, 2014 16:40:51 GMT 1
Totally couldn't work out why green tomatoes were tripping the back of my mind. Wasn't there a movie in the 90s 'Fried green tomatoes at the whistlestop cafe'? Rather intrigued by jen's recipe - sounds amazing.
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Post by jen1 on Aug 26, 2014 12:12:38 GMT 1
yes, and it was blimming good film, but yes there a deep southern thing, diners drive ins and dives featured them a while ago ,ad they were still being cooked by a 94? years old black lady ,cooked how her mamma used to cook them !
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Post by sophy on Sept 1, 2014 21:03:34 GMT 1
Are your tomatoes ripening now Liz? My ones are finally going red at last!
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Post by lizpurlo on Sept 1, 2014 22:56:54 GMT 1
No, Sophy, they're still obstinately green! At least we have a few days of warm and sunny weather coming up now. My patio is east facing, and we're over 900 feet above sea level here, so maybe I was just too ambitious - shall try using a mini greenhouse next year! Are your tomatoes in a sheltered spot?
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Post by ruthp on Sept 2, 2014 18:58:55 GMT 1
Honestly, Liz, east facing and that high, I think a greenhouse is a more realistic option. I'm in Sunny Rutland, and although I grow strawberries, raspberries etc outdoors really well, I can only get a good crop of tomatoes in a greenhouse.
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Post by sophy on Sept 2, 2014 20:02:05 GMT 1
Oh dear, I think I would try taking some indoors and see if they ripen there. I am sure I remember that we used to wrap them up in newspaper and put them in a drawer or somewhere dark to ripen. I live in Suffolk near the east coast so I guess it is warmer than where you are. They would do better in a greenhouse next year for sure!
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Post by lizpurlo on Sept 2, 2014 23:22:18 GMT 1
Yes, it looks as if I was being a bit over optimistic! Ho hum, shall get my mini greenhouse sorted for next year. Shall try ripening some indoors - otherwise it's back to the green tomato recipes. My four plants have yielded a great crop between them.
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