Thanks to my sweet friend, Scarlet at Family Focus Blog, I recently attended the Red Gold Farm Tour in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can read all about how Red Gold supports family farmers and their many innovations here at Fall Tomato Harvest: Red Gold Farms. The tomatoes are delivered to the Orestes Factory unloaded and canned or made into tomato based products within a forty-eight hour time period! Not only did we meet some of the farmers who produce crops for Red Gold, we met the down to earth, friendly third and fourth generation owners of the Red Gold Tomato Company during a visit to the Kelley Agricultural Historical Museum in Sharpsville, Indiana. Even though it was a rainy afternoon, I still managed to snap some lovely photos.
While we were on our Red Gold Farm Tour, we had a chance to meet the lovely Lydia Gray, the New Media Coordinator and recipe developer who shared with us her amazing tomato recipes, including a surprise favor of her tomato chutney!
While we were noshing on some amazing goodies prepared by Chef Craig Baker of the Local- check out these pies- I chatted with Lydia about recipe creation and the Red Gold Focus on Family. They’ve been produced by the same family since 1942. That’s four generations and they have worked with many of the same local farm families for fifty years.
I was especially impressed with Red Gold’s history. The company began when Grover Hutcherson bought and restored a fire-damaged cannery to help feed the U.S. Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Throughout the years they have continued to support farm families. They have teamed up with Luke Bryan to support the 2015 #FarmTour. This fall, Luke is appearing in concert on farms around the country. A portion of each ticket proceeds help provide local college scholarships to the newest generation of farming families. As someone who owns a farm, I’m always happy to see companies and celebrities supporting farms across the country.
Of course, you need to browse through the Red Gold recipe section on their website. We enjoyed a tomato tasting and lunch which included a favorite Cheesy Chicken and Rice dish Luke Bryan had submitted. I’ve included the tomato chutney recipe because it’s a great addition to a home cooked meal.
- 1 28 ounce can Red Gold Whole Peeled Tomatoes, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- zest of one lemon
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup dried raisins
- 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 14 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- In a heavy saucepan, combine all ingredients. Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thickened and reduced to about 2 1/2 cups. Place in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Chutney will keep about two to three weeks in the fridge.
Thanks to Red Gold Tomatoes for sharing their story with us and for giving me new recipe inspiration. What is your favorite tomato recipe?
I cooked this recipe last night and I love the flavor of this recipe. It was too yummy and crispy.
The older I get, the more I would love to live on a farm. It looks so simple compared to the city life. That tomato chutney sounds amazing!
That tomato chutney sounds delicious and it seems pretty easy to make. I can’t wait to try it out for myself and add a couple things.
Red Gold does have a rich history. We use their products, and a chutney sounds great!
I love taking part in behind the scenes tours like this one. It’s a great way to learn more about a brand.
I want to go on this tour!!! This looks like a really great and laid back time! The Chutney sounds delicious. I’ll be giving it a try.
I love cooking with tomatoes. I like to make my own pasta sauce. I will have to try the Chutney recipe.
I would love to go on a Red Gold Farm Tour. I will have to try the Tomato Chutney recipe. I am sure it will be a big hit it looks so delicious.
That tomato chutney sounds amazing! I love hearing about the history of places.
I would love to be able to see exactly where our food comes from and wish we had a bigger farm to table community in our city. That chutney recipe sounds scrumptious!
What an absolutely charming place to visit! Perfect for a fall outing too. I love tomato chutney. How fun to make it at home.
My son loves tomatoes, I’m wondering if I can get him to try this. I’m going to make it and let you know how it comes out.
Great pics. I heard it was an awesome event. I was invited to participate but I wasn’t really a fan of going alone without knowing if any bloggers I knew would be there.
Wow… if that is what rainy day photos look like I bet your non-rainy photos are super amazing because those are really good. Sounds like a fun day. I love homemade spaghetti sauce the most but had enchiladas last night and those also had tomatoes.
That Tomato Chutney looks so delicious and it is wonderful that they shared the recipe with all of us. I have going to make it for sure one of these next weekends. Sounds like you had a great time too.
How fun! The farm looks like a great adventure. Plus, being able to whip up some of that chutney would be lovely.
I’ve never made chutney before, but it sounds manageable. I can’t wait to try this one.
What a beautiful farm. We love Red Gold tomatoes, I will have to try the Chutney recipe.
That is a cool tour. I’ve never had tomato chutney before. I’ll have to try it 🙂
My favorite tomato recipe is probably making tomato paste for homemade pizza.
By the way, that looks like such a neat place for a tour!
I love tomato chutney, but I’ve never tried making this. I will bookmark your recipe for later.
Wow, how cool! I love the sound of that recipe!
The tour looks like a lot of fun. I think chutney would make a perfect gift.
I would have loved to go on that tour! Looks like so much fun.
This looks like you had such a great time Pam! I have never had tomato chutney. Yum!
I’ve never had chutney before, I’ve never made it either. Sounds great though. I love going to farms, especially for tours. So fun.
I’ve never made homemade chutney. However, this is something I really want to try!
I wouldn’t mind trying to make it myself either. I always thought it would be difficult!
This farm looks so classic and beautiful! I’d love trying out that chutney with a few different recipes.
What a quaint little farm – I would love to nose around.
That tomato chutney sounds delicious as well. x
I agree, I would love to check out the farm too. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
The farm is so charming! And the chutney sounds amazing!
This looks like a great tour. I can’t wait to try this Tomato Chutney recipe.
Farm tours are so cool, aren’t they? It’s a completely different way of life.
What a cool tour. I’d love to take that tour, myself. Thanks for sharing this chutney recipe, as well!
The chutney does sound pretty awesome, doesn’t it?