Zesty Pickled Green Tomato Medley
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of our Zesty Pickled Green Tomato Medley. This tangy and spicy condiment is a must-have for charcuterie boards, elevating your cheese and cracker pairings to new heights. Not only are they a fantastic snack right from the jar, but they also make a zesty addition to sandwiches, burgers, and gourmet salads. Whether enjoyed solo or shared with friends over a refreshing beer, these pickles are sure to impress. With a simple process designed for the home cook with canning experience, you can create a delightful batch that will delight your taste buds for months!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
green tomatoes
3-4 (quartered or halved)
jalapeno peppers
2-3 (fresh, sliced or left whole)
garlic cloves
2 (peeled)
canning salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
white vinegar
2 cups (boiled)
water
1 cup (boiled)
Instructions
1
Before starting, ensure that you are familiar with canning safety practices, as it's crucial for preserving food effectively.
2
Quarter the green tomatoes and place them into a large clean bowl. If using small tomatoes, halving them is recommended to ensure maximum flavor absorption.
3
Prepare your Wide Mouth Quart Jars by ensuring they are clean and sterilized. This can be done by boiling them in water for 10 minutes.
4
In a saucepan, combine 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part water. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil, allowing sufficient quantity to fill the jars you're preparing.
5
Once the jars are ready, place 2 cloves of peeled garlic in each jar for a delightful punch of flavor.
6
Add 2-3 fresh jalapeno peppers to each jar. Feel free to substitute with any hot pepper you prefer for varied heat levels.
7
Carefully pack the quartered green tomatoes into the jars, making sure to leave some space at the top for the liquid.
8
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of canning salt on top of the tomatoes in each jar.
9
Once the jars are prepared, pour the boiling vinegar and water mixture into each jar, ensuring the tomatoes are completely submerged while leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
10
Wipe the rims of each jar clean with a damp cloth to ensure a proper seal.
11
Seal each jar with the prepared lids according to the manufacturer's instructions, ensuring a tight fit.
12
To create a vacuum seal, you can turn the jars upside down while they cool, but avoid using a water bath to prevent the tomatoes from getting too soft.
13
For optimal flavor, allow the pickles to sit for at least one month before indulging. While it's tempting to dig in early, the flavor does deepen and improve with time.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Pickled Green Tomato Medley?
It is a tangy and spicy pickled condiment made with green tomatoes, jalapenos, and garlic, perfect for charcuterie boards and snacks.
What foods pair well with these pickled green tomatoes?
They are a great addition to cheese and cracker pairings, sandwiches, burgers, gourmet salads, or served alongside a refreshing beer.
How many green tomatoes do I need for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 to 4 green tomatoes.
What type of peppers are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 to 3 fresh jalapeno peppers per jar, though you can substitute them with any hot pepper you prefer.
How many garlic cloves should be added to each jar?
Each jar should contain 2 cloves of peeled garlic.
What is the ratio of vinegar to water for the brine?
The brine consists of 2 parts white vinegar to 1 part water.
How should I prepare the green tomatoes?
Quarter the green tomatoes, or halve them if they are small, to ensure they absorb the maximum amount of flavor.
What type of jars are recommended for pickling?
Wide Mouth Quart Jars are recommended for this recipe.
How do I sterilize the jars before pickling?
Sterilize the jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes.
How much canning salt is required per jar?
Add 1 teaspoon of canning salt to the top of the tomatoes in each jar.
Should I use a water bath to process the jars?
No, do not use a water bath, as this prevents the tomatoes from becoming too soft.
How much headspace should be left at the top of the jar?
Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of the jar after pouring the liquid.
How do I ensure a proper seal on the jars?
Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth and seal them tightly with prepared lids according to the manufacturer's instructions.
How can I create a vacuum seal without a water bath?
You can turn the jars upside down while they cool to help create a vacuum seal.
How long should the pickles sit before eating?
Allow the pickles to sit for at least one month for the flavors to deepen and improve.
Can I eat the pickles before the one-month mark?
While you can eat them early, the flavor is significantly better if you wait the full month.
Is this recipe suitable for someone new to canning?
The recipe is designed for home cooks who have some basic canning experience and are familiar with safety practices.
What kind of vinegar should I use?
White vinegar is the recommended type for this pickling recipe.
Should the garlic be peeled or unpeeled?
The garlic cloves should be peeled before being added to the jars.
Are these pickles very spicy?
They have a spicy kick due to the jalapenos, but you can adjust the heat level by choosing different peppers.
Can I use table salt instead of canning salt?
The recipe specifically calls for canning salt to ensure the best results and clarity in the brine.
Do the jalapenos need to be sliced?
You can use the jalapenos fresh, either sliced or left whole depending on your preference.
What should I do before starting the recipe?
Ensure you are familiar with canning safety practices to preserve the food effectively.
How do I prepare the brine?
Combine the vinegar and water in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
What is the first thing to put in the jar?
After sterilization, start by placing the garlic and jalapenos into the bottom of the jar.
How tightly should I pack the tomatoes?
Pack them carefully, ensuring there is enough room for the liquid to circulate and leaving proper headspace.
Why is it important to wipe the jar rims?
Wiping the rims removes any food particles or salt that might prevent the lid from forming an airtight seal.
Can I use this recipe for red tomatoes?
This specific recipe is designed for green tomatoes, which have a firmer texture suitable for this pickling method.
Is the garlic flavor very strong?
With two cloves per jar, the garlic provides a delightful punch of flavor without being overpowering.
How long does the sterilization process take?
The jars should be boiled for 10 minutes to ensure they are properly sterilized.