Green Tomato Ketchup Recipe
Green Tomato Ketchup
We’ve had a crazy fall season here in Colorado. Most days have been in the ‘60s and ‘70s until late last week when we had our first overnight freeze warnings. That meant we had to harvest what’s left of our tomato crop – our green tomato crop, that is.
Since I got into canning this summer, I thought I’d try my hand at canning some green tomato recipes! The first one I chose was Green Tomato Ketchup.
Canning green tomatoes with NAKANO rice vinegar
Due to my food sensitivities to honey, I used agave nectar instead to sweeten the Green Tomato Ketchup. (Feel free to use honey if you like.)
Also, instead of just any ol’ vinegar, I decided to use NAKANO® Natural Rice Vinegar. NAKANO rice vinegars are great for “splashing it on” everything from chicken breasts to salads. (I love splashing NAKANO Red Pepper Seasoned Rice Vinegar on my salads instead of using salad dressing. It’s a healthier, super low calorie alternative.)
I never see rice vinegar used in anything except sushi rice. So I thought using rice vinegar would be a fun twist when making Green Tomato Ketchup. Plus, it was a great way to empty the open bottle of NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar I had in the cupboard. The more stuff we can use up before we move to Boston, the less we have to ship when we move.
I was very happy at how well my first batch turned out. The Green Tomato Ketchup is very sweet and mild, almost like an apple sauce rather than a red tomato ketchup. I’ve tried it everything from eggs to fish sticks to sweet potato fries – terrific!
Green Tomato Ketchup
Adapted from About.com Southern Food’s recipe
- Makes 8 to 10 8-ounce jelly jars of green tomato ketchup
- Ingredients:
- 6 pounds green tomatoes
- 3 pounds onions
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons mixed pickling spices
- 2 cups NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar
- 3/4 to 1 cup agave nectar (I used raw agave. Any type is fine.)
Directions:
Slice green tomatoes and onions. Place in a large pot with pepper, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
Put the mixed pickling spices in a small cheesecloth bag and add to the tomato mixture.
Pour NAKANI Natural Rice Vinegar over mixture.
Cook for four to six hours over very low heat, stirring occasionally.
Remove bag of pickling spices.
Puree mixture with a wand blender or in a food processor or blender.
Strain tomato mixture through a mesh strainer.
Return to pot and bring to boil.
Add 3/4 cup of agave and stir until dissolved. Using a clean spoon, take a taste. If you feel the ketchup is sweet enough, stop. If not, add another 1/4 cup of agave nectar. Remember to use a clean spoon every time you taste test.
Immediately fill six sterilized jelly jars with green tomato ketchup, leaving 1/4-inch head space.
Wipe the jar tops and threads clean with a clean paper towel. Place hot sealing lids on the jars and apply the screw on rings loosely.
Process in boiling water bath in a deep canning pot for 5 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
Remove the jars and cool completely. Tighten the jar screw rings to complete the sealing process.
After the jars of green tomato ketchup cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. If lid springs back, your green tomato ketchup didn’t seal and must be refrigerated.
Let jars of green tomato ketchup stand at room temperature 24 hours. Don’t forget to apply a dated label!
Store unopened product in a cool dry place up to one year. Refrigerate green tomato ketchup after opening.
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Disclosure: Mizkan, the parent company of NAKANO, provided compensation for this post. All opinions and experiences are my own.