Green Tomato Pickles

Fresh from the garden green tomatoes, red bell peppers, and onions are steeped in spices and vinegar and then canned in a boiling water bath.

• Preparation Time: 2 hr
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 117 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon mustard seed
• ½ lemon, sliced
• 1 tablespoon ground mustard
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 3 cups distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup salt
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
• 6 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 cups brown sugar
• 1 gallon green tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon celery seeds
• 2 red bell peppers, minced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

In a large ceramic bowl or crock, combine green tomatoes and onions. Sprinkle with salt. Refrigerate overnight.

Step 2

Pour cold water over tomatoes and onions, and let stand for 1 hour. Place peppercorns, cloves, allspice berries, mustard seeds, and ground mustard in a small cheesecloth bag.

Step 3

Drain tomatoes and onions.

Step 4

In a large pot, stir together vinegar and sugar, and then add the tomatoes and onions, the cheesecloth bag with spices, the sliced lemon, and minced red pepper. Bring to a low boil, and then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Check frequently; you may need to pull the pot off of the heat occasionally to prevent scorching. Discard spice bag.

Step 5

Fill sterilized jars with tomato mixture, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Garnish with thin strips of red pepper arrange vertically along the sides of the jars. Screw on lids, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Remove jars and let jars cool completely. Refrigerate any that haven't sealed completely. Store sealed jars in a cool dark place.