Tomato Relish

Relishes tend to be half way between a chutney and a pickle, using the same kinds of fruit and vegetables although the texture tends to be different.  I have used a lot of different recipe books over the years and adapted a lot of them to suit my needs, it seems to work.  A lot of you asked for the recipe for the tomato relish I made last week so here it is.

This uncooked relish will mature in the jar and you will be able to eat it after about 6 weeks giving you a really fresh Summery taste.  It will make about 5lbs.

4lbs ripe tomatoes
11/2lbs onions
1 tablespoon salt
3 celery sticks
1 large red pepper
1lbs caster sugar
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
3/4pint distilled malt vinegar (white)

De skin the tomatoes and onions and finely chop, mix together in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt and leave overnight.

 

Rinse the tomatoes and onions through a colander and leave to drain.

 

Finely chop the celery.  De seed the pepper and finely chop.  Mix together in a bowl with the sugar mustard seeds and vinegar.

 

Add the tomatoes and onions and mix well.

 

Ladle into clean sterilized jars and cover.

 

 

Label with contents, leave to mature for 6 weeks and enjoy.

 

 

I had a stroll around the local car boot sale yesterday and got lucky with some more preserving jars.

This box of three was bought for 50p.

 

 

20 small jars were secured for 5p each, £1 in total.

 

 

I think they are empty baby food jars so quite small but perfect to make some pickles/jams for friends/neighbours for Christmas.  Covered with a nice checked cloth or burlap they will look pretty and let people know we are thinking of them.  Made with love.

 

Thank you for all your lovely comments about the rag dolls/tooth fairies.  I have yet to make one for a boy but I am going to make for Hector.  A rounder face, short hair and boys clothes should do it.  I will let you see how it turns out, although it may be a while as I have a lot of gifts to make.

 

 

 

Thank you for all your suggestions regarding the white stripes on my feet, I have been in the garden minus the flip flops and intend to get some fake tan when I go shopping and give it a try.  The sales are on at the moment so I may take a look for a fancy pair I would then be ready for next year.

 

See you soon.