Spicy Green Tomato Relish
This Spicy Green Tomato Relish is the perfect condiment to elevate your meals, adding a delightful kick to hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches. Use this relish to brighten up your favorite dishes or enjoy it alongside rich meats like ham for a complementary flavor. This recipe serves as an excellent way to utilize green tomatoes that are left behind at the end of the growing season when frost threatens your harvest. By incorporating both sweet and spicy elements, including jalapeno, this relish promises a unique taste journey that is best enjoyed after resting for at least a month, allowing the vibrant flavors to meld beautifully.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Green tomatoes
5 lbs (Washed, stem scar removed, cut into large pieces)
Red bell peppers
2 (Chopped into large pieces)
Green bell pepper
1 (Chopped into large pieces)
White onions
2 large (Chopped into large pieces)
Jalapeno pepper
1 (Chopped)
Canning salt
1/2 cup (Non-iodized, for soaking vegetables)
Sugar
3 cups (For sweetening the relish)
Distilled white vinegar
1 quart (For pickling)
Cinnamon stick
1 (For flavor)
Whole cloves
1 teaspoon (For spice bag)
Whole allspice
1 teaspoon (For spice bag)
Celery seed
1 teaspoon (For spice bag)
Mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon (For spice bag)
Peppercorn
1/2 teaspoon (For spice bag)
Bay leaf
1 (For flavor)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Green Tomato Relish?
Spicy Green Tomato Relish is a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy condiment made from green tomatoes, peppers, and onions, perfect for enhancing various dishes.
What does Spicy Green Tomato Relish taste like?
It features a unique blend of sweet and spicy flavors, combining the tartness of green tomatoes with the heat of jalapenos and the warmth of whole spices.
How should I serve Spicy Green Tomato Relish?
This relish is excellent on hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches, or served alongside rich meats like ham to brighten the flavor.
Why is this recipe good for the end of the growing season?
It is a perfect way to utilize green tomatoes that haven't ripened yet when frost threatens your garden harvest.
How long should I wait before eating the relish?
For the best flavor, allow the relish to rest for at least one month so the vibrant ingredients can meld together beautifully.
Is this relish very spicy?
It has a moderate kick due to the inclusion of one jalapeno pepper, but the heat is balanced by the three cups of sugar.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Use 5 pounds of firm green tomatoes that have been washed, with the stem scars removed, and cut into large pieces.
Can I use different types of bell peppers?
The recipe calls for two red bell peppers and one green bell pepper to provide a balance of color and sweetness.
What type of onions are best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically recommends using two large white onions chopped into large pieces.
Why do I need canning salt?
Canning salt is non-iodized and is used for soaking the vegetables to draw out moisture without clouding the pickling liquid.
What kind of vinegar is used for pickling?
The recipe uses one quart of distilled white vinegar to provide the necessary acidity for pickling.
What spices are included in the spice bag?
The spice bag contains whole cloves, whole allspice, celery seed, mustard seeds, and peppercorns.
Does this recipe use cinnamon?
Yes, one cinnamon stick is added to the mixture to provide a subtle aromatic flavor.
Should I include the bay leaf in the spice bag?
The bay leaf is added for flavor and can be placed directly in the mixture or the spice bag depending on preference.
How much sugar is in this relish recipe?
The recipe requires 3 cups of sugar to sweeten the relish and balance the vinegar and spice.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 total ingredients including the vegetables, liquids, and various spices.
Do I need to peel the green tomatoes?
No, the recipe only requires washing them and removing the stem scar before cutting them into pieces.
Can I eat the relish immediately after making it?
While you can eat it immediately, the flavor will be significantly improved if you let it age for at least 30 days.
Is this recipe suitable for hot dogs?
Yes, it is specifically described as a perfect condiment to elevate hot dogs and hamburgers.
What is the purpose of the jalapeno in this recipe?
The jalapeno adds the 'spicy' element to the relish, providing a unique taste journey.
Can I use table salt instead of canning salt?
It is best to use non-iodized canning salt to prevent the relish liquid from becoming cloudy.
How many red bell peppers are needed?
The recipe requires two red bell peppers.
How many green bell peppers are needed?
The recipe requires one green bell pepper.
What is the weight of the green tomatoes required?
You will need 5 pounds of green tomatoes for this recipe.
What type of vinegar should I avoid?
While the recipe calls for distilled white vinegar, avoid using vinegars with unknown acidity levels to ensure proper preservation.
Are the spices used whole or ground?
The recipe uses whole cloves, whole allspice, peppercorns, and a cinnamon stick for the spice infusion.
How many onions should I buy?
You should buy two large white onions.
Is this a sweet relish or a savory relish?
It is a complex condiment that is both sweet and spicy, making it versatile for many different dishes.
Can I add more jalapenos for more heat?
The recipe calls for one jalapeno, but you can adjust the quantity if you prefer a significantly spicier relish.
Is this relish gluten-free?
The ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free, but always check the labels on your vinegar and spices to be certain.