Tomatoes from the garden can really pile up. One of Grandma Falba’s many relish recipes uses a lot of tomatoes, and sour apples. Definitely a harvest time of year recipe.
So, what is tomato relish? Would us modern-day folk call this salsa? Chutney? Well, according to WiseGeek (and how can you doubt information from a site with such a name), “Tomato relish is a chunky, mild condiment made from garden tomatoes, herbs, spices, and small amounts of diced vegetables. The texture is similar to salsa, but the taste is generally milder and closer to that of ketchup. This condiment is not commonly found in stores, but homemade versions are popular among gardeners and home cooks. Green tomato relish, also called chow chow is a specific type of this relish usually made toward the end of a tomato harvest.”
Tomato Relish
30 ripe tomatoes
10 large onions
12 sour apples
1 qt. vinegar
1 qt. sugar
4 T salt
4 T mustard
1 t allspice
1 t cloves
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t gingerBoil 2 hours.
Tomato relishes can be sweeter or more savory, a little sour or some of all the above. Use your imagination and serve with nearly anything (although I think hamburgers and hotdogs were what we most commonly had with this relish).