Chow Chow

It's the end of the gardening season here in Atlantic Canada and time to pick the green tomatoes before they are destroyed by frost. Today we are making Green Tomato Relish, or as it's known here, Chow Chow.

7 pounds of green tomatoes are sliced and put into a large bowl. 5 pounds of onions are sliced and added to the bowl.
This is best done on a warm day with opened windows or you will be teary eyed for the rest of the day.

A quarter cup of canning salt is mixed into the tomatoes and onions and the bowl is covered with a towel and left to set overnight. This step is necessary to remove some of the water from the tomatoes.

The next day, into a large pot, add 3 cups of vinegar, cider is best white can be used, 2 1/2 cups of sugar, 2 teaspoons of turmeric, and 1/4 cup of mixed pickling spice tied in a bag. Heat until the sugar is melted.

Drain the vegetables well and add them to the pot with the liquid and spices, then simmer for 1-2 hours to the desired consistency.

Fill the clean canning jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove from water, let cool for 24 hours, then label and store.
This recipe made 9 pints.