Making Green Tomato Relish After Samhain (Hallowe'en)

Samhain
(Oct 31/Nov 1)

​the old Celtic end of
summertime and harvest

Long ago, the ancient Celtic people divided the year into two seasons.  May 1st was the beginning of summer, with October 31st the beginning of winter.  It certainly is the end of summer here at Meadow Sweet Grove!

Fairy celebration on All Hallow's Eve (Artist Unknown)

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After a very successful All Hallow's Eve celebration last night, the fairies are now diligently searching the Grove for the very last bit of goods from the garden to preserve. It's been a very rainy October, which made it difficult to see all the lovely reds, yellows and oranges of the changing leaves, but harder still to see all your lovely tomato vines wither and droop in the wet and cold - especially if you had visions of ripe, red tomatoes!  But here is a wonderful recipe to salvage and savour those green tomatoes - Green Tomato ​Relish - yum! yum!  Good on sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers and a nice treat as a chutney with crackers and sharp cheese.

After being unable to find a recipe that I liked, I decided to mix together about 3 different recipes for green tomato pickles / green tomato relish, removing some items I didn't like and adding others.  I'm very pleased with the result and hope you will be too.  Also, if you are low on green tomatoes, you can add more apple or pepper to make up the difference.  Enjoy!

1st place in the chutneys & relishes category of "WVCCS 8th Annual PumpkinFest, Home & Harvest Competition, 2018 & 2019".

Chop tomatoes very fine and sprinkle with salt.  Allow to sit for 10 minutes.  Hang in cheesecloth overnight to drain.  Next day add onion, pepper, apple, celery - all very finely chopped.  Add vinegar, sugars and water.  Put most of the pickling spice mix in spice bag, tie and add to mixture.  Sprinkle with remaining (or additional) mustard and dill seeds.  Stir over low heat for approx 3 hrs (until water is reduced).  Seal in sterilized canning jars.  ​Makes 3 to 4 mid-size jars.

Green Tomato Relish  
© Meadow Sweet Grove / V. Buchanan, 2016
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4 lb green tomatoes  
    (approx one large mixing bowl)
1 granny smith apple
1 large white onion
1/2 large red pepper
1 1/2 celery stalks with
    leaves
1 1/4 c white vinegar
2/3 c brown sugar  
2/3 c white sugar    
1/3 c water                      

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also need:
1/3 cup canning/rock
salt (for salting tomatoes) 
cheesecloth (for draining tomatoes)
spice bag

pickling spice mix:
1 crumbled bay leaf                            
1 tsp mustard seeds    
1 tsp dill seeds                    
1 tsp whole cloves   

© Meadow Sweet Grove / V. Buchanan,  2016 edited 2021