Green Tomato Relish (Nova Scotian Chow Chow)

Traditional Nova Scotian Green Tomato Chow is a two-day process, as the tomato onion mixture sits overnight in salt and then finished the next day. Use as you would a sweet relish.

16 cups green tomatoes, finely sliced
8 cups onions, sliced
3 cups vinegar
6 cups sugar
⅓ cup coarse pickling salt
½ cup pickling spices, in a cheesecloth bag

In a large pot, sprinkle the tomatoes and onions well with pickling salt, and let sit overnight covered.

In the morning, rinse the tomatoes and onions to remove the salt and drain the liquid off. Add them to a large pot, add the vinegar, the sugar, and the pickling spices in a cheesecloth bag.

Put the large pot on the stove and turn to medium. Cook the tomato mixture until it is soft and somewhat thickened, about two hours. Stir often, don't let it burn to the bottom of the pan.

Seal in hot sterile mason jars. Makes about 6 pints.

Makes 6 servings.