So, I'm thinking about canning tomatoes this summer, but I'm not sure that it's actually cost-effective. Tomatoes are $2.50/lb at the farmer's market right now (though will probably go down to at least $2 in the near future). A 28-oz can of organic diced tomatoes is $1.50 at Trader Joe's. If a pound of tomatoes cooks down by, say, a third to a half, before canning, that probably comes out to $3-$4 per 28 ounces or so for home-canned tomatoes?

What do you think? Is my math fuzzy? Is canning still worth it? I'm on a super tight budget and those few dollars a week really do make a difference. And yet, I'd love to support local farmers and have tasty home-canned tomatoes all winter long...Oh, what's a ethical food-gal to do?

EmmaC,
My brain is a little too addled to check your math, but I think that the canning of vegetables (without turning them into pickles or other preparations) is more for the joy and accomplishment rather than saving money, especially in an urban context.

The canning process is quite a bit of work, and takes a fair amount of time too. Plus, there's the question of where to keep your canned goods (esp. if you have small apartment).

EmmaC,

If saving money is part of your goal I would suggest finding a commercial type produce market. I'm sure Boston has a couple places that may be a commercial vendor but are also open to the public. Often times these places will have organic produce available. If they do, you can ask to buy your tomatoes by the case and you will pay the market price plus a small mark up rather than the retail price.

Thanks, folks!

Cutting Board Question:

We're moving to a new place and I want to replace our old, icky, warped cutting boards...does anyone have a cutting board setup that works really well?

I want to find boards that are
1. not too big - we had a big old IKEA one that put a lip over the countertop, it was difficult to keep clean and warped a ton. But not too small either .

2. durable. I don't want to buy lousy ones again and have to replace them in a year when they warp.

3. preferably affordable.

so... please let me know if you have any brands to recommend, or a way of cutting that works well in a pretty small kitchen. Thanks!