GREEN TOMATO CHUTNEY

 

I love this time of the year when all the hard work of spring and summer comes to fruition.  When the garden delivers the rich abundance of fruit, vegetables and herbs.  If you have ever watched the film "Fried Green Tomatoes"  you will know that green tomatoes are no ordinary vegetable.  Fried in a light beer batter with bacon and eggs on a lazy Saturday morning ... wow! I can not think of anything tastier.

This is the perfect recipe for those end-of-season tomatoes that stubbornly refuse to ripen.  Rather than leaving them in their unripe misery I have decided to give them a delicious destiny and this is my recipe:

INGREDIENTS

1kg green tomatoes, chopped

2 onions finely diced

2 apples peeled and chopped

200g brown sugar

250ml brown malt vinegar

1tsp mustard seeds

1tsp ground ginger

1tsp salt

1/2 tsp chilli flakes

METHOD

1.  Toss everything into a large pot.

2. Bring to the boil and then to a gentle simmer.  Stir occasionally.

3.  Let it simmer for about 2 hours until thick and glossy - kind of like the plot in the film "Fried Green Tomatoes"

4. Spoon into sterilised jars while still hot. Seal tightly and let it develop the wonderful flavour.

Serve with cheese, on curry, on a burger or straight from the jar on bread sticks while watching "Fried Green tomatoes"

 for the fifteenth time!

So if life gives you green tomatoes, do not under any circumstances start a food fight - make chutney instead!