Having a stash of homemade roasted tomatoes in the freezer is one of very few things I miss about living on land. I used to buy (because I have yet to meet a plant, other than shamrocks, that I can keep alive successfully) loads of cherry (or grape) tomatoes when they were on sale to roast them. I’d cut them in half, drizzle with red wine vinegar and a splash of balsamic, grind pepper and salt, sprinkle with thyme, and generously add olive oil. Oh don’t forget the 4 cloves of garlic or so, just peeled and cut in half. Then a long, slow roast, like an hour at 275. Or longer. Basically, until the smell drove you insane. Let cool, package into cup containers, and freeze.

On board, we’ve got no freezer. (I hope this can change, but for now? No freezer.) No homemade tomatoes. I suppose I can figure out how to can my own? But meanwhile, I’ve discovered my new favorite on board specialty ingredient.

Trader Joe’s Bruschetta topping. (NOTE: While you can get on Amazon, the price is absurd there. At TJs it’s , IIRC, $2.89 - on Amazon it’s $9.50. FOR ONE JAR. It’s good. Not that good.)

4 things I use Trader Joe’s Bruschetta topping for

1. As advertised. Craft little rounds of baguette (link to my own recipe), rub with the cut side of a clove of garlic, and top with about a teaspoon of this stuff. Crazy delicious and super easy.

2. As added flavor to a “use up what’s left in the fridge” dinner - a frittata, spaghetti sauce, or even quesadillas.

3. As unexpected zip to sandwiches.

4. As the roasted tomato part of a homemade pizza.

I’ve tried other commercially available bruschetta and so far have not found one that comes even close to this one for flavor and price. The worst was basically super small diced tomatoes in vegetable oil, no extra flavor added. The best was a sun-dried tomato version that cost an extra $2 over this one, though I didn’t love the texture that came from the sun dried tomatoes. At least there was flavor.

Stocking up on this stuff means, to me, making sure I’ve got 4 jars. I’m sure that before we head away from the land of TJs, that number will be higher.

Anyone ever canned home-roasted tomatoes?