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GREEN TOMATO RELISH 
When frost approaches at the end of the growing season, this relish is one way to make use of an overabundance of green tomatoes. Grandma also called this piccalilli. Green tomatoes can be found occasionally at local Farmer's Markets at the end of the season at great prices. Be sure to purchase tomatoes picked before the frost.

The secret to good relish and pickles is fresh pickling spices. Never use leftover pickling spice from last year's canning. It's important not to skimp on the sugar, because the full amount is required for adequate preservation. If the sugar amount is changed, the relish may spoil. If regular salt is used in place of canning salt, the relish may become cloudy since due to the anti-caking ingredients in plain salt. Canning salt does not contain these ingredients, making for clear, bright, pickles and relishes.

11 lb. green tomatoes, chopped (with skins)
4 or 5 green tart apples, chopped
4 or 5 onions, peeled and chopped
1 large green pepper, seeded and chopped
3 1/2 cups cider vinegar
4 celery stalks with leaves, chopped
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
2 tablespoons whole mixed pickling spice
1 cup water
1/2 cup canning salt

Wash tomatoes well. Chop the tomatoes into a large pan or bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Hang the chopped tomatoes in a cheesecloth wrap or cloth bag and allow to drain overnight. Discard juice.

The next day, add onions, celery, green pepper, sugars, apples, vinegar and water.

Stir in the whole mixed pickling spices.

Cook the mixture over low heat in a large pan, stirring often, until vegetables begin to stick on the bottom of the pan and the water is gone. This will take about 2 to 3 hours.

Have ready 7 to 9 pint size canning jars (depends on the size of the onions, tomatoes, etc. which were used).

Ladle hot relish into clean jars leaving 1/2-inch headspace and adjust lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Submitted by: CM

recipe reviews
Green Tomato Relish
 #1566
 Jan says:
I made a mini version of this recipe today (1/4 of original) because I wasn't sure we would enjoy it, but it was delicious!
Also, I had no cheesecloth, so I put the chopped up green tomatoes and salt in a colander over a bowl to catch the liquid overnight. Worked just fine :)
   #49685
 Vanessa Griffin (Maryland) says:
Wonderful recipe. Great flavor. I used 10 lb of green tomatoes which made 7 pints. Will be my annual, end-of-the-garden solution for green tomatoes.
   #51940
 Mary (New Jersey) says:
I think I will try this. I prefer a green tomatoe relish with some minced garlic, and I like it cloudy and aged a week at least. This is a very different recipe from mine, but it looks good. Lighter, brighter.
   #54100
 Sandy Jo (California) says:
Excellent recipe! I made fried green tomatoes with my end of the year supply, but my Mom and Dad had 5.5 pounds of green tomatoes left, so I used theirs. This was my first attempt at pickling anything and it was successful and is delicious!
 #73147
 LaHa (Florida) says:
Thank you so much for all the good information and tips in this recipe. It sounds great and I'm planning to give it a try this week.
   #83674
 Sara Raysinger (Pennsylvania) says:
Made a half batch of this recipe with the rest of the peppers and green tomatoes from the garden. It is delicious! great combo of spicy and sweet.

 

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