Preparing for winter- tomatoes, onions, peppers, and okra!

I love to make soups in the winter, especially on nights when we are going to be late getting home cause of a football game or whatever is going on. So during the summer months when produce is cheap and plentiful I love to make this handy recipe my grandma taught me years ago.

Now this is more of a guide than a exact recipe with specific amounts...

You will need tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and okra!

When I do this I always use my 12 quart stockpot.

Peel and quarter your tomatoes. You want your pot about 3/4 full. Start heating your pot of tomatoes on the stove as you chop everything else. (You need them to cook down some to make room for everything else)

Next I slice okra. I have this time about 6c of okra, but usually it's just whatever I can buy from farmers market. 

Coarse chop your onions, I usually use 4-5 large yellow onions.

Chop 6-8 bell peppers.

 Place all this in your pot and simmer on low for a hour or so, make sure to stir it once in a while.

Once everything is very well cooked and your okra is tender, then allow the pan to cool completely.

Next I scoop the mixture into quart bags and freeze till I am ready to make soup this winter.

This is great in veggie soups, I also have mixed this in meatloaf. My grandma will mix this in with cooked macaroni for a side dish. This is also great by its self as a veggie side.