The month of September is nearly upon us, and aside from the flip of the calendar page, there are also other indicators signaling summer’s end. The CNE wrapping up another season; the final fireworks displays at Wonderland; the days getting shorter; the evenings getting a little crisper; back-to-school sales; and finally, the bushels of tomatoes lined up in the garage. Yes, summer’s fleeting days are marked by preserving its bright flavor through the annual family tradition of making tomato sauce, otherwise known in our household as Tomato Day.
Each year, our clan (not always in its entirety) gathers in the garage to make our batch of tomato sauce. Admittedly, I did not always view this ritual as a time-honored practice of conserving not only the summer fruit, but our culture and heritage as well. For quite some time in fact I faced this time of year with dread, for tomato day was a tiresome process that took me away from the business of enjoying the fleeting summer solstice. Thankfully, my perception on this activity has changed, and I know embrace this as an opportunity to partake in a family labor of love, sharing stories and laughter, combined with coffee and donuts (we are fueled by both Tim Hortons and Bialetti).
The process typically unfolds by bathing our bright red Romas, slicing them down the middle and blanching them before pureeing them into sauce. Next, red hot streams of passata are poured into mason jars lined with fragrant basil leaves and then boiled for preservation. The greatest reward at the end of this process, another annual tradition; gathering around the table to enjoy the fruits of our labor generously ladled over a bowl of pasta and accompanied by a glass of vino. This becomes the first of many Sunday sugos shared throughout the year that follows.
Not only do we nourish our bodies, but our hearts and souls as well, in carrying on this custom. The ability to connect with the ingredients and with each other makes tomato day an important one in my books. Buon Appetito!
