Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Green Tomato Mincemeat - Daring Cook's September Challenge







From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...The September 2010 Daring Cooks’ challenge was hosted by John whose work can be found at Eat4Fun. John asked the Daring Cooks to study and experiment with food preservation, particularly canning and freezing. Participants in the challenge were asked to make a recipe and preserve it. His post, which can be found here, contains advice and recipes so clear, that those new to food preservation would have no trouble duplicating the recipes he provides. The years when the jewel tones of tomatoes, peaches, pears and sundry condiments swayed my pantry shelves have passed, but I still dabble with canning and thought it would be fun to share something a little different as my response to John's challenge. It probably gets no different than green tomato mincemeat. This recipe is very similar to ones used at the turn of the century by farm wives preparing for the holidays. Their large gardens were laden with green tomatoes that would become pig fodder were it not for relish, mincemeat and that old Southern favorite fried green tomatoes. It has been years since mincemeat contained meat. While some recipes call for suet, they have fallen from grace and are rarely used by food preservers. I can't attribute today's recipe to an individual, but it can be found in the recipe files of most extension services throughout the country. It is very easy to do and uses the most common of canning paraphernalia. Mincemeat has become very expensive and this is an inexpensive alternative to a holiday staple that is still loved by many. I'm featuring the recipe as it was written, but I actually double the amount of spice when I make this. If you like mincemeat, I think you'll like this recipe. Here's how it's done.

Green Tomato Mincemeat

Ingredients:

3 quarts finely chopped green tomatoes
3 quarts peeled and finely chopped apples
1 cup vegetable oil or butter (a substitute for suet)
1 pound raisins
2 tablespoons grated orange rind
2 tablespoons grated lemon rind
5 cups well packed brown sugar
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 teaspoons salt

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large kettle, and bring to boiling, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer until dark and thick - about 2 1/2 hours. Stir occasionally. Pour boiling hot into pint jars, allowing 1/2 inch headroom, seal promptly and process in a boiling water bath for 25 minutes. Store in a cool dry place. To freeze, pack cold mincemeat into freezer jars or containers, leaving about an inch headroom for expansion. Seal and freeze promptly. Yield: 8 pints.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Fried Okra and Green Tomatoes - The Teacher Cooks
Fried Green Tomatoes - Delicious Dishings
Pickled Green Tomatoes - Closet Cooking
Green Tomato Chocolate Cake - Ciao Chow Linda
Green Tomato Relish - Mommy's Kitchen
Chow Chow - Town and Country Farming

This recipe is also being linked to The Daring Kitchen.

66 comments :

KarenAZ said...

My grandmother always made mincemeat with venison. She also poured a jigger of Jack Daniels over the pie before putting on the top crust. Yum.

Allie and Pattie said...

Mary, as always, I love this. Great take on a classic!
xoxo Pattie

Unknown said...

That's a grt idea of preservation...loved the snaps....

LittleRed said...

I'm out of town now training for a new job, but I had to check out what everyone had made for the challenge. I had to laugh when I saw your post. I made green tomato mincemeat as well...which is something I've NEVER made before. I had lots of green tomatoes to use up and I must say ....I loved the results. Now I can hardly wait to try some recipes using mincement. I saw a lovely looking mincemeat swirl pound cake somewhere.....Have to look for it again:) Your mincemeat looks as perfect as I know it tastes!

Califia's Lap said...

It's been such a long time since I have have any tomato mincemeat. Thanks for posting this recipe and thanks for leaving such a lovely comment on my blog. I didn't even see it until today. From one warrior queen to another have a wonderful day! What a great blog!

Joy said...

Do you have to do the "seal and put in jar" part of the recipe? Could you just throw the mincemeat into a pie or is there a flavor advantage to the canning?

Jenni said...

Great job! I never would have thought about canning mincemeat!

Dionne Baldwin said...

I never ever really knew what mincemeat was until now. I have an overabundance of green tomatoes this would be perfect. Reading through the ingredients I'm surprised to find that mincemeat sounds GOOD! And it looks amazing from the pic.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the little history on the mincemeat. I didn't realize that you could make it without meat :) I've never had mincemeat before, never even had the opportunity, but this looks like something I'd love!

aipi said...

In my opinion making preserves is an art which I am a big fan of.. And U made it beautifully it looks perfect..awesome clicks too !

US Masala

chef_d said...

Your green tomato mincemeat looks so appetizing, thanks for sharing your recipe to a canning newbie like me :)

JG said...

Oh Mincemeat! Traditionally every year I purchase a jar to bake one of the pies for Thanksgiving. This could come in very handy - Thanks!
~Judy

PeggyR said...

Sounds really good. I love the idea of adding Jack Daniels to it!

We Are Not Martha said...

Awesome!! Now I'm really wishing I remember to take some green tomatoes from my dad's garden this weekend!!

Sues

Ginny Hartzler said...

Those green tomatoes are perfect! I'm not quite sure what is done with mincemeat. Growing up, we had mince pie. Mince is something that you usually can't get in a restaraunt.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Those green tomatoes are perfect! I'm not quite sure what is done with mincemeat. Growing up, we had mince pie. Mince is something that you usually can't get in a restaraunt.

Lori said...

Oh Mary that mincemeat looks so good and sounds so good. Of course at this time of year I am always on the hunt for green tomato recipes. Mary- that is who you remind me of- a very younger version of the gal from Fried Green Tomatoes. I imagine you to be every bit as fiesty.

Those photos are so crisp and nice. They look great.

Kat said...

Wow this recipe sounds amazing! I just need to find someone to execute it for me. Great site! Will definitely bookmark some recipes. =D Have a wonderful week!

Rajani said...

Hi Mary, thanks for dropping by and your kind words of encouragement :) I am so glad I found your blog... going through it right now.

Monet said...

Mary,
This brought back such fond memories of my grandmother. She always made mincemeat with her sister, and they would then make the most delicious pies. Thank you for a great recipe...and a great memory.

Sushma Mallya said...

Its really so beautiful and you have made it so well mary, ..

penny aka jeroxie said...

Great use of green tomatoes!

Nancy said...

Interesting! I love how women used everything. No waste.

Katerina said...

That was totally new to me. I have never tried it or done it before. I bookmarked this. I love to try new things. Thanks for sharing!

Cherine said...

Great idea. Love it!

Diane said...

Thanks Mary now I have another idea what to do with the few green tomatoes which are not going to ripen before I leave for the UK next month. Diane

Sanjeeta kk said...

lovely recipe, Mary. Love the green tomatoes. Great spread.

What's next said...

I have never tasted mincemeat... wish I could try a bite before making this protion!

From the Kitchen said...

I especially like to preserve food frozen since I sometimes run into difficulty canning--well, I don't have a canner and have to improvise which doesn't always work well.

I did as I was told yesterday. I read the corn soup recipe and went right to the vegetable stand for corn, came home and made the soup. There's a large container in the freezer and we had it for dinner. Delicious!! So easy! Thanks for "insisting"!

Best,
Bonnie

Unknown said...

I've never done anything like this. My grandmom used to make mincemeat but I was little and don'y know if I ever even tried it. Too bad. This looks beautiful, thanks for the link to his post too!

Barbara said...

What a super Daring Cooks Challenge! I've never made mincemeat of any kind...I've done chili sauce though.

Your recipe is lovely, Mary and very doable.

marla {family fresh cooking} said...

This flavor combo sounds very interesting. Yes, a great way to use up all those end of summer tomatoes!

Cathy said...

There is no shortage of green tomatoes this year. This looks like a wonderful recipe.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Gone are the days when I have easy access to green tomatoes in my garden. I am so looking forward to bidding on a plot in our community garden next year.

nancy at good food matters said...

Hi Mary, this is an excellent use for those end-of-the-season green tomatoes, and I agree with your increase of the spices to this recipe.

I love those jewel tones, beautiful food colors this time of year!

Rita said...

Every year I make a green tomato ketchup like my mom used to make many years ago. I have never made mincemeat but love it; she used to also make mincemeat pie, You post brougt back good memories.Thank you. Great post.

Rachana said...

Delicious use of green tomato. Loved the snaps.

StephenC said...

I long to have a mince pie like my grandma used to make at Christmas. What would be applications for using this tomato mincemeat?

Unknown said...

My grandmother made mincemeat with venison neck and I thought that was so yucky but the adults all raved over it! I like your recipe and it's pretty too:)

CIN&BUD said...

I can't wait to try this one! I have loads of tomatoes to use from my garden. I will post picture of a finished pie from this recipe in my dessert blog: Dessert Exotics, Cindy

Joie de vivre said...

Mary,
Absolutely beautiful! I canned Green tomato Mincemeat one year and have made pies with it before. Thank you so much for visiting. Your comment made me smile.

Jennifer said...

Hi Mary! I love your blog...it's beautiful! One thing I have never made is mincemeat! I'm going to have to try this with this fall's tomato harvest. Thanks for visiting my blog!

You hooked me Mary, I'll be following!

Joanne said...

I've never really known what mincemeat was and from the name of it, I assumed that it was something utterly abhorrent. Now it turns out it's something amazingly delicious! Who knew?

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

Your mincemeat looks and sounds delicious. And I love the story behind it... My plan had been to dabble in canning and preserving a bit this year as the toddler is a bit older. However, things are so hectic right now that I'm postponing it yet another year. Next year for sure!

The Blonde Duck said...

I've still never had green tomatoes!

Valérie said...

I had my very first taste of fried green tomatoes last week, and was wondering what to do with the leftover tomatoes. Also had no idea what mincemeat actually is. Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge with us!

Eliana said...

You took this challenge over the top girl! Great job.

Kelly said...

Great post. You made me think I should really sign up for the daring cooks. I have to admit I enjoy canning, but have always been nervous about deviating on the recipe. They always make it seem like you should stick to it as is because pH affects the canning process. I swear all the canning books seem to emphasize this and I never know if they are being too alarmist.

Biren said...

This tomato mincemeat sounds delicious. Funny there is no meat in it but I am not complaning. Love the ingredients you have added.

Foodiewife said...

Oh, Mary. Sweet, tart, spicy... I love this recipe!
Blessings,
Debby

Create. Snap. Eat. said...

Ooh! Sounds perfect for duck or chicken.

Faith said...

Your mincemeat is so pretty Mary! I'm printing this off to share with my mom, who is a huge fan of mincemeat!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I love mincemeat, and yours looks beautiful. I must admit, I have always been a little afraid of canning. I have all the equipment to do it, but have never gotten up the nerve to give it a try.

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

You know, I've never had mincemeat. Seriously! It looks and sounds delicious though! Thanks!

scrambledhenfruit said...

I'm not a mincemeat (of any kind) fan, but hubby loves it. He says that tomato mincemeat is really good and that I should make some. ;)

Pondside said...

I'm going to have way too many green tomatoes, so I may give this recipe a whirl.

M. said...

I love all the spices you used, lemon and orange rind....it all sounds like nice addition to a Holiday table

FOODESSA said...

I used to make great ketchup with green tomatoes and that was the extent of it. I was also very much into preserves before...and throughout the past few years I've dwindled quite a bit.

This recipe is fabulous and I will have to bookmark it so that when I get the bug again, I'll be armed with great ingredients to go with green tomatoes ;o)

Ciao for now,
Claudia

Claudia said...

I've never made mincemeat (or loved) mincemeat - but my father adored it and I periodically made him what was probably a pathetic mincemeat pie.Wish I had this recipe earlier - it sounds so tasty. And I love the history behind it.

Self Sagacity said...

Mary, could I have some please? My mother taught me not to ask for anything, but I can't help this one. It looks so delicious. We are hosting a meme Thursday Two Questions on BlessingReflections, if you're not so busy, would love for you to combine your cooking questions on Thursdays. http://www.blessingreflections.com/p/thursday-two-questions.html

Terrianne, Call me Ree said...

I recently purchased some canning jars in the hopes I would be inspired to try canning for the first time.

I've always thought micnemeat was something else, maybe meat? The name must be a misnomer.

This looks like a wonderful way to preserve garden tomatoes. I love the variety of fall spices! =)

The Teacher Cooks said...

I love your photos! I have never had mincemeat, but yours looks very easy. Thanks so much for the link.

A Canadian Foodie said...

I absolutely love preserving and am fully into it right now ('tis the season) so this post is timely. The photos are gorgeous, as usual, and the recipe looks like one I will definitley try! I wish you would get a subscribe to by mail plug in, Mary - or get feedburner installed on your site so that I could get your new posts into my mail box. I haven't been by for so long - I never get to my readers, and I miss your wonderful writing, pictures, recipes and warmth.
:)
valerie

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Leo said...

Just finished this, the whole house smelled like Christmas! Looks great too!

Mama Said Sew said...

I've got this bubbling away on the stove right now! Nothing like the smell of Christmas in July. I can't wait to taste it. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

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