Tomato Harvest

 
This year I decided to have another shot at growing tomatoes. Now the weather in the UK isn't always kind enough to grow these tender fruits outside, so this time I opted for a trailing variety and grew them in a hanging basket. Key factor: I could bring the basket inside at night if temperatures were looking low.

So, into the basket went two red and one yellow trailing cherry plants.

I knew I was onto a winner when they starting producing piles of flowers. With tomato plants, flowers = fruit. Bingo!  But I knew I needed to watch these beauties like a hawk and make sure I got them in on cooler evenings.

This weekend I finally harvested them, and oh joy, there were enough to actually do something with.  In previous years I've ended up with about 3 tiny tomatoes - I'm not kidding you!  All that work and nothing but a mouthful to savour...

I decided to make a tomato tart with my bounty:

* A sheet of puff pastry
* Pesto
* Black olives, halved
* A few sliced mushrooms
* A mozzarella ball, torn into pieces
* As many cherry tomatoes as possible, halved
* Fresh basil to garnish

Spread the pesto over the pastry, pile on the other ingredients, as way you like, stick in the oven 180 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Delicious and so easy!