Inland Northwest, High Desert
September, 2000
Regional Report
Local Buzz
Yellowjackets As Good Guys
Yellowjackets can be a pain at picnics, as they buzz around your hamburgers and potato salad. However, they can be good guys too. One friend of mine told another that as he was watching a couple of flies on the kitchen window, a yellowjacket came by, picked one off the window, and took off with it.
"That's nothing", a second friend said. He saw a yellowjacket swoop down on an unsuspecting moth, cut the wings and head off, and fly away with the body. So yellowjackets can be our friends.
Recipes
Tomato Corn Soup
Here's a good way to enjoy the bounteous harvest of tomatoes, sweet corn and onions. Plus, I think warm soup tastes even better during cool fall weather.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, packed
2 cups fresh corn kernels
Salt and pepper only if needed
Preparation
In a large saucepan heat olive oil, add onion and saute until softened. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until veggies are tender. In a blender puree mixture in batches. Return to saucepan, add herbs and corn and cook 5 minutes longer, to make sure it's heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with fresh, warm, crunchy bread.
Serves 6 to 8
