Roasting Tomatoes

I don't know how many of you are suffering an overabundance of tomatoes as I am but I thought it was time to post a little recipe for roasting tomatoes. Depending upon the time of year and how much rain you've had in your area fresh tomatoes can lose some of their zip and really do need to be punched up a bit and roasting them is the perfect solution and it is extremely straightforward to boot. Roasting intensifies the flavors and can turn ho hum tomatoes into a glorious dish.

Here is a trick for a simple roasted tomato sauce that you can serve over pasta.

Peel, core, seed and chop about 3 pounds of whole ripe tomatoes. Put them in an oven proof, non reactive container and drizzle with a couple of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. If you are a garlic fan a couple of cloves of thinly slice garlic is a great addition. Salt and pepper to taste and if you like things a little spicy a pinch or two of dried red pepper flakes is very traditional. Put these uncovered in a 350 degree oven for about an hour. Remove from the oven and mix in a few tablespoons of chopped fresh basil or lacking that a tablespoon of dried. Serve over pasta or even good sliced bread toasted with a bit of olive oil. Rustic but full of flavor and, as you can see, not very difficult.

BTW peeling tomatoes is quite easy if you have a little boiling water. In the case above I would just put the tomatoes in a metal mixing bowl and put on the kettle with about a liter of water and bring it to the boil. Pour the boiling water over the tomatoes and let them stand for 20 to 30 seconds and then run them under some cool tap water until you can handle them. The peels will slip off easily. Peeling and seeding the tomatoes is a pain but most tomato skins don't react well to cooking and get bitter to boot and the same with the seeds. Neither of them bring much to the flavor party.

Still Raining

Well it is still raining here in Georgia so the weekend didn't include much in the great outdoors. Just as well actually since the rain caused several large Ancho/Poblano pepper plants to fall and break leaving an emergency "deal with the peppers" event. Yesterday was spent making cucumber & pepper relish and pepper & onion relish. It's all canned and processed, though what we will do with it all is another question entirely. Based on the very rare occasion that I succumb to the need for a "tube steak" and need a few tablespoons of relish I now have enough for 50 or 60 years. I can use it for making tuna salad so maybe 30 years is a better estimate.

Yours truly managed to get into some poison ivy or oak last week while cleaning up in the garden. Only a small bit but it is on the left side of my face from my lower eyelid down to my upper lip. Irritation, irritation and very inconvenient. An archeologist friend, with extensive experience in such things, recommended a product called Zanfel and I went to CVS to get some...It was $40 for a small tube!... and since the dollar I invested in the lottery didn't bring me $350 million I guess I will stick with the calamine.

Strange weekend...Saturday saw us laying to rest one of our great liberal statesmen Ted Kennedy and Sunday saw the media giving Darth Cheney a pulpit to praise torture and lawlessness. Very strange indeed. The head "Death Eater" had the nerve to complain that Obama administration should be asking him how he had prevented a "mass casualty" attack on the U.S. for the last eight years and not investigating the unlawful torture and murder done on his watch. Seems to me the last "mass casualty" attack on the U.S. was on his watch but whatever and I don't really remember asking Clinton how he had prevented an attack during his 8 years on office. Like I said...whatever.

The economy, or lack thereof, is in the news this morning. The WSJ has the bad news about the commercial real estate market and it is really ugly. Several people are asking how in the hell the economy is going to recover without improving wages and employment...the resounding answer is that it won't.

Everybody have a great Monday and let's keep our fingers crossed that something happens to put out the fires in California.

Rainy Friday

Lots of rain and might not even get to 70 today. Garden work is out so I guess reading is in. Waiting for a break in the rain to go out and see how many more tomatoes there are. It is the final blush and they are coming fast and furious...about a half bushel per day. Going to have to buy more jars!

Going to be a lot of soup this winter and pasta sauce!

Did manage to get a checkup at the dentist in this morning and I am good for another 6 months and on the way home bought my winning $350 million lottery ticket.

Madam and I did take in the new Harry Potter the other day and it was very good. Can't say it was the best but the kids did finally get to do some proper acting. Much better in that department.

Now I just have to decide what book to curl up with and I am feeling like it might be some old science fiction.

If It is Bad for Bees It is Bad for You

In a study published in the current issue of The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Researchers have found that exposure of High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) to heat raises levels of a toxin harmful to bees and humans -

The researcher from the USDA reached their conclusion after measuring HMF levels in samples of HFCS over a 35 day time frame, at temperatures of 31.5, 40.0, 49.0 and 68.8?c.

They saw that HMF levels increased steadily with temperature, and that there was a dramatic jump at 49 ?c. The chemical forms as the fructose dehydrates, with mineral and organic acids acting as catalysts.

What is HMF?- Hydroxymethylfurfural ( here is its MSDS)

a toxin that causes gut ulceration and dysentery-like symptoms in bees. In humans it has been linked to DNA damage, and its daughter metabolites levulinic and formic acids have also been seen to cause harm.

This is just another reason to find ways to reduce or eliminate HFCS from your diet. We keep wondering why so many bee colonies are suffering and dying and what do you know but HFCS is used as feed by many commercial beekeepers.

Remember the rules: If granny wouldn't recognize it as food it probably isn't and if it is in a package and has more than a couple of ingredients it probably isn't really food.

h/t La Vida Locavore

Hunter Speaks for Me

If you haven't read Hunter's rant over at Daily Kos concerning health care then take a few minutes and do so. You'll be glad you did.

RIP Senator Edward Kennedy

Senator Edward Kennedy died late last night at the age of 77. He was the greatest legislator of his generation, and surely one of the giants of Senatorial history. It will be impossible to measure the impact Kennedy has had on the American people and the people of the world.

The White House issued a statement from President Obama this morning.

"Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

"For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

"I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

"An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time."

In the New York Times report on Kennedy's passing, John Broder wrote, "[H]e was more than a legislator. He was a living legend."

Exactly one year ago today, Kennedy delivered his last and memorable national address at the Democratic National Convention. Even though weakened by his illness Kennedy still inspired:

"There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination -- not merely victory for our party, but renewal for our nation. And this November, the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans. So with Barack Obama, and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on."

The irreplaceable Ted Kennedy will be missed but his legacy can live on in the cause which he championed through his whole career. It is time for the Ted Kennedy Healthy America Act that will insure no American wants for proper and affordable health care.

Health Care Reform Reading

Lot's to read about health care reform and none of it is very heartening. Looking more and more like we are all screwed.

The LA Times has a report on how we are doing in the health care reform battle. It's not pretty and it goes without saying that the big money from the health insurers and big pharma are winning. If you are concerned about the future of health care in this country this is a worthwhile read.

Percentage change since 2002 in average premiums paid to large US health-insurance companies: +87%

Percentage change in the profits of the top ten insurance companies: +428%

Chances that an American bankrupted by medical bills has health insurance: 7 in 10

—Harper’s Index, September 2009

You can read more in this very good article from Common Dreams by Chris Hedges

Last but surely not least we have Matt Taibbi’s “Sick and Wrong”

Christmas Lima Beans

It's garden clean up time again. Now all the hard work of putting in the garden has to be reversed. While the tomatoes and peppers are still going strong and the occasional melon ripens things like beans, corn and squash need to be removed and composted. The fall plants of broccoli and cabbage are all sprouted and will be ready to go out in a few weeks but first a place needs to made for them. While things are winding down we are still pretty much eating every dinner with things from the garden. Last night eggplant, tomatoes, peppers and beans for dinner and yesterday's lunch was cantaloupe just picked. This is the first time I have really been successful with melons as they usually succumb to wilt or mildew plus our clay soil is not ideal for such things.

The picture is of the last of the Christmas limas which were harvested yesterday as I pulled up all the vines. Only a double handful but enough for dinner last night. They are much prettier raw than cooked BTW as they sort of turn a purplish gray after a little simmer and all of the bright red disappears. Lima beans aren't my favorite but Madam loves them so I grow them. If I have to eat them I prefer the small baby limas or butter peas we grow down here in the South. These are a pretty good size bean as you can tell from the dime in the pic.

I'm in the garden again today but should wrap up the biggest part of the chores. Another month or two of tomatoes and peppers along with late season cucumbers and the second planting of beans(French climbing and Cherokee Trail of Tears). The sweet potatoes are just about ready as well and they will be coming out of the ground in September. Off to the garden...everyone have a great Monday.

As Always... Joe Bageant

If you don't regularly check in with Joe to see what he is doing then you are missing some of most important insights and writing about what is happening to our society today. His latest is especially worth a visit.

How much freedom can one man stand?

Survival of the Fittest

The conservatives keep ranting about letting 'the market' rule how health care is delivered and paid for and just this weekend Georgia GOP jerk (my rep!) Tom Price reiterated that a government sponsored option would destroy the private health insurance industry as one of his main arguments against reform and a public option. They seem to want it both ways...don't let the government driven public option compete fairly with private industry because it would destroy the private health insurance industry and also let the market drive the business. You can't have it both ways.

I think Darwin should rule.

It Hurts

Jim Yeager has a YouTube posted at Skippy's place that makes me want to cry. Seriously.

Debunking the Health Care Reform Myths

Media Matters has done the research and has a comprehensive debunking of the current right wing myths about health care reform. You might want to keep this link handy in case you need to reset anyone's thinking.

MYTH 1: There is no health care crisis
MYTH 2: Health care reform will impose rationing
MYTH 3: Health care reform provides for euthanasia, "death panel"
MYTH 4: Health care reform legislation will cover undocumented immigrants
MYTH 5: Health care reform will raise your taxes
MYTH 6: Health proposals would tax all small businesses
MYTH 7: Health care reform would add $1 trillion-plus to deficit
MYTH 8: House bill would ban private individual insurance
MYTH 9: Obama said he didn't read House bill
MYTH 10: Co-ops are an adequate substitute for a public option
MYTH 11: Obama is pushing a system like the U.K. and Canada
MYTH 12: Obama, Dems pushing "socialized medicine"
MYTH 13: Prominent opponents of health care reform are credible
MYTH 14: Government can't run a health care program

Distributed By?

Has anyone noticed that almost every product you buy these days has 'distributed by' on it instead of 'manufactured by'? Do Colgate and P&G not make their own toothpaste and just buy it from the Chinese or someone and distribute it? I would assume since they don't claim to manufacture it then someone else does and why is that? Look around at the products you have on the shelf and you will be amazed at how many don't have the actual manufacturer but the distributor's name on it. Sort of gives me an uneasy feeling...

Where's the Balance?

Via digby

Does it bother anybody that we taxpayers are on the hook for 23.7 trillion dollars in guarantees to the banking industry to keep the bloodsuckers from collapsing and yet we are having a full blown political meltdown over a trillion dollars over 10 years to insure every American has access to health care? Just seems weird.

The Next Shoe

We asked the other day what the next canard in the GOP effort to torpedo health care reform would be and now we know:

Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) on Tuesday defended critics of Democratic health care reform plans who claim the proposals would provide subsidized health care to illegal immigrants. Kyl said Democrats have long sought to block curbs on public services for people illegally in the country.

“It’s a logical question for people to ask,” Kyl said during a conference call with reporters, maintaining that during last year’s State Children’s Health Insurance Program debate and other legislative fights, Democrats blocked efforts by Republicans to include curbs on health care for illegal immigrants.

“In the last couple of bills … there were efforts to ensure that only eligible people would get the benefits … those efforts were defeated by Democrats,” Kyl argued, pointing out that hospitals currently are required to provide illegal aliens — as well as anyone else — with health care if they are in need.

If you thought the teabaggers and patriots were insane at the town halls before you might you might want to hold on to your hat. Of course you won't find anyone in the media asking the right questions...If we turn the illegal immigrants away from the hospitals or any access to emergency care what are we supposed to do with the bodies? Is there any plan for ameliorating the epidemics of who knows what when potentially millions of people go untreated and are left to die or spread whatever contagious disease they may have? Is there going to separate plans for disposing of the bodies of children and adults? What are we going to do about immigrant children orphaned because their parents didn't have access to health care?

Finally Someone with a 2x4

There is the old story about the farmer and a mule. A man sees the farmer grab a 2x4 and whack the mule across the head. Questioning the farmer as to why he thought it was necessary to hit the mule in such a way the farmer replies. "Oh the mule is plenty smart but first you have to get his attention."

I guess someone finally got out the 2x4 because the Dems seem to have finally figured out that the Republicans just aren't going to cooperate:

“The Republican leadership,” Mr. Emanuel said, “has made a strategic decision that defeating President Obama’s health care proposal is more important for their political goals than solving the health insurance problems that Americans face every day.”

About freaking time? I can't believe it has taken this long for the Democrats to figure out that they are wasting their time. The GOP leadership has said over and over that this is a strategic decision on their part and hope to use the failure of any health care reform to take out Obama or to use their phrasing "make it his Waterloo".

Now we just have to figure out if the President is Wellington or Napoleon.

Nothing Really

I realized this morning that I haven't posted anything here since Friday. No excuse really except that I don't have much going on that is any different than any other weekend. Madam and I are dog sitting for the daughter's two, Megan and Stewart, so we have done some walks and played a little fetch and let them in and let them out. Both are good dogs and are trained to a T. It's very nice to walk them as they understand the rules. You say "wait" and they stop at the intersection until you say "OK". You say "fix" and they stop and lift their paw so you can get the leash out from under. They don't pull and just walk along beside you. Megan does stop and sniff every once in while but usually comes right along after a tug.

The tomato plants have decided to ripen everything at once. Madam and I canned 16 pints of tomato sauce yesterday. Since you have to simmer and reduce the tomatoes by about half that means we peeled, seeded and food milled 16 quarts or 4 gallons of tomatoes yesterday and I picked another basketful this morning. We are definitely set for tomatoes. The okra is going full bore as well and I am picking two meals worth everyday. We've pickled and frozen enough okra for a couple of years and it's still coming. The plants are now so tall that I have to pick as Madam can't reach the tops. Looking at the number of blooms we are going to have as much again as we have had already...will definitely back off on the amount I plant next spring.

So I am off to walk the dogs.

The tropical storm was a fizzle. We got just a little rain and cloudiness but not near what I was hoping for.

Whole Foods Flap

Evidently the flap over the insane rant by the libertarian CEO of Whole Foods John Mackey in the WSJ flooded the Whole Foods forum on their website and they shut it down. There are evidently a lot of upset 'former' customers. Good!

Just because there is now even less reason to shop at Whole Foods there is no reason to despair if you want organic foods. Here's an organic store locator. And here's the famous Eat Well Guide, where you can look up farmer's markets, restaurants, groceries, etc. this is a good resource. You can also check with the local harvest site and look for sources of good food.

Even though you can't comment on their website anymore you can still express how you feel to the folks at Whole Foods:

Contact Whole Foods Market's Investor Relations Department by
calling (512) 542-0204
or via email at ir.questions@wholefoods.com.
:
U.S. National Offices

World Headquarters
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
550 Bowie Street
Austin, TX 78703-4644
512.477.4455
512.477.5566 voicemail
512.482.7000 fax(br)

RIP Les Paul, 1915 - 2009

Les Paul passed away today. You can't say enough about the man who invented the solid body electric guitar and multitrack recording. He wasn't only an inventor but one of the great guitarists. He earned 36 gold records and 11 No. 1 pop hits, including "Vaya Con Dios," "How High the Moon," "Nola" and "Lover." His contribution to music is absolutely huge. Pete Townsend of The Who, Steve Howe of Yes, jazz great Al DiMeola and Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page all used the Gibson Les Paul which Gibson guitars started making way back in 1952.

Good Bye Whole Foods

It's sad really, because you really want to believe that there are companies like Whole Foods that are good citizens and actually live up to what they advertise as their core values. It turns out that it is all hype and marketing and as long as you spend your money there they could give a shit about you and your welfare. It is obvious that they could care less that 50 million Americans are one sickness away from destitute or worse, will die from the lack of medical care. As long as you shell out the big bucks for their products they really don't care if you have to skip your medications to pay for it.

It's going to be a challenge because I like the products I find there. Granted, I have cut way back on what I buy at Whole Foods because of the garden and the virtual vegetarian diet of the last few months. I'm just going to have to get over it and find other sources for the things I used to find there. Somebody else sells real chicken and quality fish. I don't, however, know where I am going to find a replacement for Madam's 365 Ginger Ale and that's bad.

I actually find it quite amazing that John Mackey, the CEO and founder of Whole Foods is so out of touch with who is customers are. I would venture to say the progressives, liberals and other "tree huggers" far outnumber the conservatives. His op-ed in the WSJ is unbelievable for someone who heads an organization that claims one of its core values is "Caring about our communities & our environment". Mr. Mackey has revealed his extremist views on employee benefits in the WSJ no less:

While we clearly need health-care reform, the last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system. Instead, we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction—toward less government control and more individual empowerment.

I've known for some time his extreme views on unions but let it go considering what I assumed were the offsetting benefits his business offered. This latest revelation was the last straw however, and I will add Whole Foods to Wal-Mart as an off limits place to shop. I'll use the only weapon I have and that is my pocket book. If Whole Foods or Mr. Mackey retract the op-ed then I will reconsider but it will forever throw a shadow over what I thought was an upstanding company that actually had peoples' welfare as a core part of their values. Frankly, today it is very easy to locate competitors and that is where I'll be.

If you are interested, check out the overwhelmingly bad vibes on the Whole Foods community forum this op-ed has generated and there is a lot more to be found in the discussions in Hopeful Skeptic's and Aptoklas' diaries at the Great Orange Satan. It appears that Mr. Mackey has managed to piss off a whole lot of customers including this one.

h/t to DarkSyde at Kos