Green Tomato Relish
My dear friend Donna generously shared with me some of the green tomatoes freshly picked from her beloved garden, giving me the wonderful opportunity to try making green tomato relish for the very first time. Her sister Denise, an expert in the culinary world, patiently explained to me step by step how to create this relish, following a treasured family recipe lovingly passed down from their mother. The recipe itself is delightfully simple, though it requires two full days to prepare thoroughly, making it a perfect project for those who take pleasure in creating homemade preserves with care. The resulting relish is a harmonious blend of sweet and sour flavors, a versatile treat that pairs beautifully with aged cheese, crispy crackers, sandwiches, cold cuts, juicy burgers, and classic hot dogs. For anyone who appreciates traditional, handcrafted condiments, this relish offers a deeply rewarding and delicious culinary experience.
Note: I prefer apple cider or malt vinegar over plain vinegar because they add a lighter, more flavorful taste without being too strong.
Green Tomato Relish Recipe
By Zosia Culinary Adventures | Date: Oct 27, 2025
Preparation Time: 2 days
Cook Time: 1- 2 hours
Yield: 18 x 125 ml Jars
Equipment: large stock pot and 18x125 ml sterilized canning jars with lids, jar lifter, canning funnel, and a spice sachet
Ingredients:
5 L green tomatoes, cored and sliced
12 medium peeled onions, julienne cut
approximately 1/3 cup pickling salt or kosher salt (iodine free)
1/3 cup pickling spices(mustard seeds, bay leaves, allspice, coriander, peppercorn, cloves), placed in the spice sachet
1.5 cups brown sugar plus extra as per your taste buds
1/2 cups white vinegar
1.5 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup malt vinegar
Instructions:
Slice green tomatoes with a sharp knife for clean cuts. Layer the slices in a large ceramic or clay bowl, sprinkling a little salt on each layer to draw out moisture. Use ceramic or clay bowls, not metal, to avoid flavor changes. Cover the bowl with a heavy lid or a smooth stone to press the tomatoes gently. Leave at room temperature for at least 12 hours to marinate. Place a tray under the bowl to catch any liquid that may drip.
Next day, drain the liquid from the bowl. Cut tomato slices in half and place them into a large pot.
Cut onions into julienne slices and mix them with the tomatoes. Add brown sugar and all vinegars. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to keep the ingredients intact and help flavors combine. Attach the spice sachet to the pot so its aroma spreads during cooking. Make sure the liquid just covers the top of the mixture. If you need more liquid, you can add a bit more apple cider vinegar.
Bring to a boil and let simmer until thickened and translucent, about 1-1.5 hour. Sample the relish during cooking, and adjust to your taste buds to make it taste sweet and tangy.
Transfer the hot relish into sterilized jars. Process the jars for 10 minutes in a boiling-water bath.
Enjoy it with all savory foods during cold winter months!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!🍁🦃
