This year my tomato crop (all of two plants) was the
best it’s ever been. I finally outsmarted the squirrels. All summer they’ve
kept away from my tomatoes. In years past I’d tried ever remedy I could find in
the gardening center. None worked. Then I started hearing commercials on the
radio for trash bags that repelled rodents. They were infused with mint.
Rodents, apparently, can’t stand the smell of the stuff. So they stay away from
your trash when you set it out on the curb for pick-up.
This got me thinking. Squirrels are rodents. What if
I planted some mint around my tomato plants? Would it keep them from stealing
my green tomatoes, taking a bite, then tossing the tomatoes to the ground? It
was worth a try. And I’m here to tell you it worked.
So I have a bumper crop of tomatoes and tried all sorts of tomato recipes like this quick and easy one.
Marinated
Tomato Salad
Ingredients:
4 large tomatoes
8 oz. pearl mozzarella
1 baby zucchini
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 T. red wine vinegar
1 T. honey
1 T. honey Dijon mustard
1 tsp. dill
1 T. dried minced onion
Cut up tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Slice
zucchini into thin circles. Place vegetables in bowl. Add mozzarella.
In another bowl whisk together remaining ingredients.
Pour over vegetables and mozzarella. Cover and chill for at least two hours
before serving.
