Simple Green Tomato Relish

We had a wealth of Tomatoes from our garden this summer, but the last ones on the vine just aren't going to ripen anymore so it was time today to pick the Green and semi-red Tomatoes off the vine  They were all too small to make good Fried Green Tomatoes (a previous post) so the only thing to do was to make Green Tomato Relish.  This is something that my Pennsylvania Dutch Grandmother would make and I've always loved it. Of course, she canned it so that it would be available all winter long, but I made just enough for one quart jar and I think it will go fast. It's a sweet and sour and tangy condiment with just a hint of Allspice to liven things up. It's great with Sausages  or Hotdogs - it's kind of like a Green Ketchup and it's also wonderful on Cheese. There's a certain satisfaction with making your own condiments using up your homegrown produce and it is delicious too!

Simple Green Tomato Relish

2 pounds Green Tomatoes and partially Red Tomatoes

1 White or Yellow Onion

3/4 cup - 1 cup Sugar (use less if you have more Red Tomatoes)

1 cup White Wine Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar

1 teaspoon Salt

1/3 teaspoon Allspice

Cut off the stem of the Tomatoes and chop into rough pieces and then chop the Onion. Add to a sauté pan along with the Sugar, Vinegar, Salt and Allspice. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Take off the lid, increase heat to medium and stir frequently for another 10 minutes. Let cool and spoon into a quart Mason Jar.

Five Element Analysis

Tomatoes are usually a Fire Food and the red ones still are, but because they are sour when Green, they also bring in the Wood Element. The Vinegar adds even more of the Wood Element. The Sugar contributes the Earth Element and the Onions and that little bit of Allspice bring in the Earth Element. Only the Water Element is missing, which is why it's so good with Pork Sausages, which are a Water Food.