Are you concerned that the only way you can preserve fruits, vegetables and tomato paste is only by refrigerating? Some people just want their vegetables fresh; I mean in our generation we preserve everything by adding preservatives that sometimes are not as healthy as we think. No wonder then that we battle with so many new diseases in our times.

Some people just want their vegetables fresh; I mean in our generation we preserve everything by adding preservatives that sometimes are not as healthy as we think. No wonder then that we battle with so many new diseases in our times.

At a women’s group meeting, we got talking about how women from our mother’s generation seem to be stronger than our own generation. By that we mean the number of children they gave birth to (a football team 😉 they worked outside their homes and still managed to run large households; plus they live longer.

In the opinion of many of the women present, our mothers fed their families with fresh vegetables and foods planted in their home gardens. Every time they want to prepare a meal all they had to do was pluck a few tomatoes, carrot, and cucumber and so on and a sumptuous meal is set. Interestingly this helped saved some of the resources which were used to provide for other needs of the family.

So how do we manage our homes and resources as women? Not so long ago the cost of tomatoes skyrocketed and the supply of electricity became a once in three week’s activity (in my country, Nigeria). In the absence of a refrigerator, here is what I learned about keeping your tomatoes and pepper paste fresh with no additives.

• Buy the amount of tomatoes, pepper and Tatashe you want; blend to your taste then boil until it is no more watery and it forms a thick paste.
• Get small and big sizes of your empty jam jars…fill each with your tomatoes and pepper paste still steaming hot; cork or close lid tightly.
• Next, get a big pot and arrange your jar bottles in it, then pour some water but not to the brim. Place the pot with your jam bottles containing your paste on a stove; allow boiling for ten minutes.
• Switch off the gas, ensure again that the lids of your containers are tightly corked then arrange them on an airy place on your shelves.
The freshness of your blended tomatoes and pepper paste would last for three months.

Note:
• For each jar of tomatoes that you pick to cook, finish using the contents once the lid has been opened.
• Pay attention to seasons of the year that tomatoes and pepper become expensive and prepare ahead by buying in bulk and preserve using the above method.

Fresh foods are healthier and safer. Have a backyard/home garden.

Adebisi Adetunji

Quick glossary: 

Tatashe is a red species of Capiscum/Pepper that’s native to Nigeria. It’s not the same as Bell Peppers and used for its flavour and rich colour given to stews and other West African dishes.

P.S: If you are interested in guest posting, send an email to JacquelineObyIkocha@gmail.com.

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