After making a couple of batches of salsa verde using tomatillos, Vince suggested I try it with green tomatoes. I could grow tomatillos but I don’t because I never have enough room to grow the things I really want to grow. This year I wanted to grow purple hull peas, cream peas and okra and ran out of room before getting any of those things planted. Tomatillos get out of control fast in the garden and they’re just not worth the real estate they take up. But, if I could use green tomatoes, and they grow on the same plant that produces red tomatoes . . that’s like a 2 for 1 deal!
After a bit of research, I found a recipe for green tomato relish that was close enough to salsa that I could make a few revisions without changing the acid/produce ratio. So I ran out to the garden, picked 5 pounds of green tomatoes and enough jalapenos. Actually I picked 3 pounds and had to go back and pick 2 more pounds. I’m not a very good judge of weight I guess.
Chopped up the green tomatoes . .
Cooked it all and canned it. The top jar (1/2 pint) was made from tomatillos and the bottom jar (pint) was made from green tomatoes. If you’re wondering why two different size jars . . that means I don’t have to label! Half pints are tomatillo; pints are green tomato. Pretty simple, huh? Or, maybe it’s just lazy. No comments please. 🙂
Can hardly tell the difference just looking at the jars.
So, we did a taste test. I had just finished making about 5 dozen chicken tamales so we each took one, divided it in half, tomatillo salsa on the right; green tomato salsa on the left.
Chad said the one made with the tomatillos was a bit sweeter and the one made with the green tomatoes was more tangy. He said he liked them equally good and if he were making them, he’d use the green tomatoes because they’re “free” . . basically. Vince said he liked the green tomato salsa better. I didn’t care because really . . it’s the cilantro I like anyway! 🙂
It is nice to know I can make it without standing at the bin of tomatillos at Wal-Mart for an hour, trying to find 5 pounds that are not squishy or oozing or all dried out! Much easier to go pick green tomatoes off my own plants.
jolyn says
In s MN we just picked our first 3 tomatoes – cherry tomatoes and two pans of green beans!
Sandy Gail (Sandra Neel Hutchins) says
Could you pass a platter of those chicken tamales with green tomato salsa out the computer screen to me please? That has to be the most delicious meal!
Judy D says
Love the new look!! 🙂
I’d be happy to get one red tomato! Even a green tomato starting to turn red. You make me want to can some salsa now. They both look delicious on that tamale!!!
Cindy from CA says
Love your new look! BUTTTT…….. Where did all the links to the quilt patterns go??? 🙁 Does this mean I am too late to make any of them???
Sandy Gail (Sandra Neel Hutchins) says
Nice new look on your blog! I see that you have a link to your Facebook page. I’m assuming it is still just for family and real friends. Happy canning!
Kelly Ann says
I want to be you when I retire…cooking & canning…and just enjoying my kitchen…btw…love the blog header…
Deb Myers says
wah wah wah….you changed your blog. again. just when i got use to it and could navigate and find my way around!! geeezzz….you gotta warn me. in advance! very cute! are you the mastermind behind the job? wow! you really DO know how to do EVERYTHING!!!!! what a smart chickie you are~~~
Sheryl says
I hate to be a cry-baby but here goes. 🙂 I know I can’t be the only older-age blog reader who has trouble looking at certain light colors. I can hardly see the light blue text and the orange is barely better. Both text colors seem too light to me and a bolder text font would really help also. 🙂
I had to enlarge the entire page so the light blue background would disappear off the page to be able to look at it. I know…not your problem but maybe others have the same problem with their eyes. Sob. sob.
A couple more things and I’ll go back to my corner….I really miss the ability to right click to open links in a new tab and I would love to have the links to your patterns back.
Thank you Judy for putting up with me…
Your crazy friend in south Louisiana.
Christine says
Hello,
To clarify, the jars just contain the green tomatoes?
Or do they contain the tomatoes and jalapenos? If they contain the jalapenos, how many jalapenos to 5 pounds of tomatoes?
Thank you,
Christine
Sherrie Denton says
I have only tried tomatillas for salsa one time. I did not like the tangy taste. I now use green tomatoes along with the red ones to make a wonderful hot salsa……….