Zesty Green Tomato Relish
Transform your surplus green tomatoes into a delightful Zesty Green Tomato Relish that rivals anything you can find at the store. This recipe, discovered in a charming canning book, infuses fresh and vibrant flavors into your favorite hot dogs, sandwiches, and burgers. With a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, this relish not only helps reduce waste but also brings a unique twist to your meals. Give those neglected green tomatoes a new lease on life with this easy-to-follow recipe that yields five half-pints of zesty goodness!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Green Tomato
1 quart (chopped)
Sweet White Onion
1 large (chopped)
Green Pepper
1 large (chopped)
Canning Salt
2 tablespoons
Sugar
1 cup
Prepared Mustard
1 tablespoon
Celery Salt
1 teaspoon
Whole Cloves
4 (tied in cheesecloth)
Vinegar (5% acidity)
1 cup
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine chopped green tomatoes, chopped sweet white onion, and chopped green pepper.
2
Evenly sprinkle the canning salt over the vegetables, mix thoroughly, and let sit for 1 hour to draw out excess moisture.
3
After an hour, drain the vegetables well and set aside.
4
In a large pot, mix the drained vegetables with sugar, prepared mustard, and celery salt until well combined.
5
Enclose the whole cloves in a piece of cheesecloth and tie it securely; add the spice bag to the vegetable mixture.
6
Pour in the vinegar and stir everything together, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Allow it to cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7
Remove the spice bag containing the cloves and discard it.
8
Carefully pack the hot relish into sterilized hot jars, ensuring you leave a 1/4 inch headspace at the top.
9
Wipe the rims of the jars to remove any residue, then place the canning lids on securely.
10
Process the half-pint jars in a hot water bath for 10 minutes for safe preservation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Green Tomato Relish?
It is a vibrant, homemade condiment made from green tomatoes, onions, and peppers, perfect for topping burgers and hot dogs.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for green tomatoes, which are unripened tomatoes that provide a firm texture and tart flavor.
Can I use red tomatoes instead of green?
No, this recipe is designed for the specific acidity and texture of green tomatoes; red tomatoes would be too soft and sweet.
How many jars does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately five half-pint jars of relish.
What type of onion is recommended?
The recipe recommends using one large sweet white onion, chopped.
Is the green pepper necessary?
Yes, one large chopped green pepper is used to provide color and a classic relish flavor profile.
Why do I need to add canning salt and let the vegetables sit?
The salt draws out excess moisture from the vegetables, ensuring your relish is not overly watery after cooking.
How long should the vegetable mixture sit with salt?
The vegetables should sit with the canning salt for exactly one hour.
Do I need to drain the vegetables?
Yes, after sitting for an hour, the vegetables must be drained well to remove the extracted liquid.
Can I use regular table salt?
It is best to use canning salt because it lacks the anti-caking agents found in table salt which can make the liquid cloudy.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for one cup of sugar to balance the tartness of the tomatoes and vinegar.
What kind of mustard is used?
The recipe requires one tablespoon of prepared mustard.
Why is celery salt included?
One teaspoon of celery salt is added to provide a savory, herbal depth to the relish.
How are the whole cloves added to the mixture?
The four whole cloves should be enclosed in a cheesecloth spice bag and tied securely before adding to the pot.
When do I remove the spice bag?
The spice bag containing the cloves should be removed and discarded after the relish has simmered for 20 minutes.
What type of vinegar is required for safety?
You must use one cup of vinegar with 5 percent acidity to ensure the relish is safely preserved.
How long should the relish simmer?
The mixture should simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
What is the required headspace for the jars?
You should leave a 1/4 inch headspace at the top of each jar when packing the relish.
Do the jars need to be sterilized?
Yes, the hot relish must be packed into sterilized hot jars to prevent contamination and jar breakage.
Why must I wipe the rims of the jars?
Wiping the rims removes any residue that could prevent the canning lids from forming a proper airtight seal.
How long do I process the jars in a water bath?
The half-pint jars should be processed in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.
Is this recipe a good way to use garden surplus?
Absolutely, it is specifically designed to transform surplus green tomatoes into a delicious condiment.
What can I serve this relish with?
It is an excellent topping for hot dogs, sandwiches, and burgers.
Is this relish sweet or savory?
It features a perfect balance of tartness from the green tomatoes and sweetness from the sugar.
Can I add hot peppers to make it spicy?
While the base recipe is zesty rather than hot, you can customize the flavor, though altering ingredients can affect canning safety.
How do I store the finished jars?
Store the processed, sealed jars in a cool, dark place like a pantry.
How long does the relish last once opened?
Once a jar is opened, it should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within a few weeks.
Is this a difficult recipe for beginners?
No, this is considered an easy-to-follow recipe suitable for those new to canning.
What makes this relish 'zesty'?
The combination of vinegar, prepared mustard, celery salt, and cloves creates its signature zesty flavor profile.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the ingredients, but ensure you use a large enough pot and process the jars in batches if necessary.