Preserved Menu Planning: MVPs

In trying to create a balanced menu of preserved foods, there are a couple of standout players, the MVPs of variety and texture. Today's post is dedicated to them.

The Tomato

I cannot overstate the importance of the tomato in my planning of food preservation. In fact, tomatoes play such a critical role that in addition to the literal bushels of them that we get throughout the summer from our Tantre Farm CSA share, we ourselves are growing 35 plants. You see, tomatoes are hugely versatile. Add them to a stew for a bit more flavor. Core them and then freeze 'em whole for use throughout the year. Use them chopped in salsa, stew them to add to any grain, cook them down for tomato sauce or soup. The possibilities are seemingly endless.

"Raw" Freezer Produce

If you like to cook at all, it can get kind of tiring to just pull something out of the freezer and heat it up on the stove. So, instead of preparing dishes to freeze, prepare "raw produce." Though you have to blanch most items before you can put them in the freezer, by freezing diced carrots, sliced onions, whole tomatoes, shelled peas, and other ingredients, you have the makings for whatever you're in the mood for. And trust me, this is a good thing because what you want to eat and prepare in the 90 degree days of August  is very different than what you want after a sunless day in cold February.

Spices & Herbs

I'm sure a good number of gourmands will agree that the best way to add flavor to something is through the use of herbs and spices. The same applied when preparing preserved food (though do take note that you have to be careful with canning because those recipes are designed to create food that is safe to eat). When drying or freezing something, play with spice combinations. And, if you're in the habbit of adding a blend of oregano and basil to almost everything, try using them on their own and/or with other herbs and spices (it's amazing how different combinations bring out different flavors, even within the herbs themselves!).  If you're not sure where to start, talk to a local specialty grocer, visit a kitchen shop, chat with a farmer at the farmers' market, or ask a friend what they keep in their pantry.