Tomato Gravy
My family has a special place in our hearts for tomatoes. My Great-Great Grandmother, Virginia Payne, who everyone called Jennie, came to Berkeley Springs with her seven children to work in the tomato factory after her husband, John, died in a tractor accident in 1899.
Dayton Yost sparked my memory of my Great-Grandmother, Arizona Henry, when he asked me about tomato gravy during one of his daily walks around the hospital. He shared with me how his mother made tomato gravy, which reminded me of my grandma, who participated in the tomato festival from 1937 to 1941 alongside thousands of others. Her favorite part of the tomato festival was seeing all the children dress up in red and green tomato costumes.
Grandma told me tomatoes were the secret to a long, healthy life. Tomatoes were a staple food at our house. Grandma would say, “Tomatoes will keep you healthy.” Since she lived to almost 100, I won’t argue with her. We all have tomatoes to use up this time a year. Most people have never heard of tomato gravy, but it is a tasty, easy dinner that will fill your belly. If you put it over biscuits or homemade bread, it will send your taste buds a happy signal. My Great Grandmother, Arizona Henry, started her mornings with tomatoes. She made tomatoes every which way. A few of her favorite recipes include tomato soup, juice, stewed tomatoes, and fried green tomatoes.
Tomato Gravy
3 tbsp. bacon grease
3 tbsp. flour
1 ½ cup chicken stock
4 cups of fresh tomatoes, diced
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
Heat the bacon grease in a skillet, then whisk in the flour. Salt & pepper, until the flour turns golden brown. Then whisk in chicken stock while gradually adding tomatoes. Serve over hot biscuits or homemade bread.
Stacy Schultz is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, a former Morgan County Commissioner and is the author of “It’s Stacy’s Grandma ‘Zona’s recipes” and “Great Grandma Zona’s Wisdom & recipes: Comfort food made easy.” She has been in healthcare for 35 years at War Memorial Hospital.