Certainly! Here’s the recipe for a delightful Green Tomato Relish, also known as Hot Dog Relish. This tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy relish is perfect for adding a zing to your hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, or even as a condiment to your favorite dishes. It’s a wonderful way to utilize those green tomatoes that might otherwise go to waste. Let’s get cooking!
Green Tomato Relish (Hot Dog Relish)
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
🥒 Recipe Yield: 5 half pints
Ingredients:
- 1 green tomato
- 1 sweet white onion
- 1 green pepper
- 2 teaspoons canning salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 cup vinegar
Instructions:
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Prep the Vegetables:
- Start by gathering your green tomato, sweet white onion, and green pepper.
- Finely chop these vegetables and combine them in a large bowl.
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Salt and Rest:
- Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of canning salt over the chopped vegetables.
- Mix the salt into the vegetables, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Let the mixture stand for 1 hour. This allows the salt to draw out excess moisture from the vegetables.
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Drain the Vegetables:
- After an hour, drain the vegetables thoroughly.
- You can use a colander or simply squeeze out the excess moisture with your hands.
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Prepare the Relish Base:
- In a large pot, combine the drained vegetables with 1 cup of sugar.
- Add 1 tablespoon of prepared mustard for that classic tangy flavor.
- Include 1 teaspoon of whole cloves, tied up in a piece of cheesecloth. This makes it easier to remove them later.
- Stir in 1 cup of vinegar to bring all the flavors together.
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Simmer:
- Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- This allows the flavors to meld together and the relish to thicken slightly.
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Remove the Spice Bag:
- After 20 minutes, carefully remove the bundle of whole cloves tied in cheesecloth.
- This ensures your relish isn’t overly spiced but still has that warm, aromatic flavor.
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Prepare for Canning:
- While the relish is still hot, it’s time to prepare for canning.
- Make sure your jars are clean and sterilized. You can do this by boiling them in water for 10 minutes.
- Also, ensure your canning lids are ready according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Pack the Jars:
- Fill the hot, sterilized jars with the hot relish, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top.
- Using a clean utensil, such as a wooden spoon, remove any air bubbles by gently stirring the relish in the jars.
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Seal the Jars:
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue.
- Place the canning lids on the jars and screw on the bands fingertip-tight. This allows for proper sealing during processing.
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Process in a Water Bath:
- Carefully place the filled jars in a boiling water bath canner, ensuring they are covered with at least 1 inch of water.
- Process the half-pint jars for 10 minutes, maintaining a gentle boil throughout.
- After 10 minutes, turn off the heat and let the jars sit in the water for an additional 5 minutes.
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Finish and Enjoy:
- Carefully remove the jars from the water bath using canning tongs.
- Place them on a clean, dry towel to cool completely.
- As the jars cool, you’ll hear the satisfying “pop” of the lids sealing.
- Once cooled, check that each jar has sealed properly by pressing the center of the lid. It should not flex or move.
- Label your jars with the date and store them in a cool, dark place.
Serving Suggestions:
- This Green Tomato Relish is fantastic on hot dogs, burgers, sausages, and sandwiches.
- Use it as a condiment for grilled meats or as a topping for salads.
- It also makes a wonderful gift for friends and family who appreciate homemade goodies!
🌟 Tips:
- Adjust the sweetness and spiciness of the relish to your liking by tweaking the amount of sugar and mustard.
- Ensure your jars and lids are sterilized properly to prevent any contamination.
- This relish improves in flavor over time, so let it sit for a week or two before digging in.
Now you have a batch of delicious Green Tomato Relish to enjoy throughout the year! The combination of tangy tomatoes, sweet onions, and aromatic spices will elevate any dish. Happy canning and even happier eating! 🍅🌭
