How to Pickle Green Tomatoes

As tomato season draws to a close, we still have more than a few green tomatoes on the vine. Unlikely to beat the frost date to ripeness, some will be taken inside to ripen, some battered and fried, and others will make their way into relish. Even then, plenty remain. What to do with a bumper crop of tomatoes that aren’t going to make it to the finish line?

Some will be frozen for future frying, but my favorite way to preserve this underripe harvest is pickling. To be fair, I like pretty much anything in pickle form, but the firm texture and understated flavor of green tomatoes makes them a terrific candidate for the brine. Pickling green tomatoes is a snap and an easy way to contend with a large crop without losing valuable freezer space.

This simple recipe hits just the right notes, but can be adapted to any taste. Use apple cider vinegar instead of white for a sweeter pickle, try adding ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to each jar for a bit of heat, or replace the dill and garlic with a teaspoon each of curry and mustard seed.

Pickled green tomatoes may be eaten straight from the jar, used as a sandwich topper, served alongside charcuterie or may even be used as an alternative garnish for your best Bloody Mary or martini.

Pickled Green Tomatoes Recipe

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 pounds green tomatoes
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dill seed
• 3/4 teaspoons peppercorns
• 6 cloves garlic, minced

Combine vinegar, water and salt in a pot and bring to boil.

Place 1/2 teaspoon dill, 1/4 teaspoon peppercorns and 2 cloves minced garlic into each of 3 sterile pint jars.

Wash tomatoes and slice or cut into halves or quarters (depending on size).

Pack tomatoes tightly into jars.

Pour brine into jars to cover tomatoes, leaving 1/4" head space.

Cap with lids and bands and process in a water bath 10 minutes to seal.

Store up to one year.