Homemade Green Tomato Relish

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Homemade Green Tomato Relish.

1. Step 1

   Begin by assembling all the essential ingredients for your delicious relish.

2. Step 2

   In small batches, coarsely grind the green tomatoes, onions, red bell peppers, and green bell peppers using either a grinder or a food processor, allowing the vibrant flavors to meld.

3. Step 3

   Next, line a large colander with cheesecloth and position it in the sink or a spacious bowl.

4. Step 4

   Pour the ground tomato mixture into the colander and let it drain for about an hour, allowing the excess moisture to escape and intensify the flavors.

5. Step 5

   In a large, non-aluminum stockpot, combine the drained mixture with sugar, cider vinegar, celery seed, mustard seed, and salt.

6. Step 6

   Heat the mixture over high heat until it reaches a vigorous boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for five minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking.

7. Step 7

   While the relish simmers, prepare your jars by sterilizing enough to hold the relish—twelve 1-pint jars or six 1-quart jars will do nicely.

8. Step 8

   Once the relish is hot, pack it into the sterilized jars, ensuring there are no air pockets, and fill them to the brim before securely fastening the lids.

9. Step 9

   To process the jars, place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill it halfway with boiling water.

10. Step 10

    Carefully lower the jars into the pot using a jar holder, maintaining a 2-inch space between each jar.

11. Step 11

    If necessary, add more boiling water until the tops of the jars are submerged by 2 inches of water.

12. Step 12

    Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 30 minutes.

13. Step 13

    After processing, gently remove the jars from the pot and place them on a cloth-covered or wooden surface, allowing space between each jar to cool.

14. Step 14

    Once cooled, press the center of each lid to check for a tight seal—the lid should remain firm and not move up or down.

15. Step 15

    Store your homemade relish in a cool, dark place, where it can delight your taste buds for up to a year.

16. Step 16

    Enjoy the satisfaction of preserving summer’s bounty in every jar!.