We did indeed get our first frost last Saturday morning and, funny enough, it happened on the exact same day as last year’s first frost! Of course, in line with mid-Atlantic autumns, the weather has subsequently bounced right back up into cool, but not freezing, conditions. However, with the frost comes the end of the some of the summer crops we’ve been harvesting for the last several months. We may have a handful of red tomatoes, but for the most part we’ll be bringing green tomatoes to market this week. I always get excited for green tomatoes, both because they act as a signifier for the winding down of the season, but also because, as we concentrate on harvesting ripe tomatoes through most of the year, they are a unique delicacy that we only eat for a couple of weeks each year.
In years past, we’ve found ourselves in the situation of being completely overwhelmed with the quantity of green tomatoes we end up with and as a result have found a variety of ways to use them, both unusual and more traditional. These include green tomato pie, standard fried-green tomatoes, and a very tasty green tomato relish, the recipe for which is below.
Also see below for this week’s harvest list and we’ll see you at Burke on Saturday!
Farmers Katie & Mike
-
Green Tomato Relish
- Ingredients
- 4 large green tomatoes
- ½ red bell pepper, halved and seeded
- ½ green bell pepper, halved and seeded
- 2 large onions
- 1 ½ tsp celery seed
- 1 ½ tsp mustard seed
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup + 1 Tbsp white sugar
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar
Directions
In a food processor, coarsely chop green tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
Place a colander in sink or in large bowl and line with cheesecloth or an old cotton T-shirt. Pour in tomato mixture and let drain 1 hour.
In a large pot, combine tomato mixture, celery seed, mustard seed, salt, sugar, and vinegar.
Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Cool before serving and refrigerate between uses.
.
This week at the market:
- Cabbage
- Escarole
- Bok Choi
- Purple-topped Turnips
- Head Lettuce
- Radishes
- Arugula
- Salad mix
- Winter salad mix
- Spinach
- Scallions
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Onions
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Sweet peppers
- Eggplant
- Green tomatoes
Comments
lynn brownell
October 24, 2019I’m excited to try this recipe. I’ve never made relish before so it will be an adventure. Hard to believe its actually
frost time. Glad to see all the good stuff waiting for shoppers at the market. Time for stews & soups!
Barbara Grogan
October 24, 2019This is exciting—a luscious product that signals the end of another successful year and relaxation ahead! I am collecting your recipes!