My grandmaman's green tomato ketchup

By the end of August, I am eying my garden tomatoes.  How many green tomatoes?  How much green tomato ketchup can I make this year?

This ketchup is traditional French Canadian deliciousness served with tourtière or with meat dishes.  Store bought, when you can find it, will never be as good as homemade.  

If you double the recipe, you'll have enough for gift giving.

To make four 250 ml jars

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 lbs green tomatoes, thinly sliced
3/4 lb      onions, thinly sliced
1/2 head celery, thinly sliced
1/4 cup   pickling salt
1 1/3 cup cider vinegar
2 cups     sugar
4 tsp       pickling spice
1/4 tsp    peppercorns

PREPARATION

Mix tomatoes, onions, celery and salt and let sit overnight. Drain and rinse the vegetables. Place in a saucepan. Add sugar, vinegar and a cheesecloth spice bag with pickling spice and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, then simmer approximately 35 minutes. The tomatoes will be softened and the onions translucent.  Remove the cheesecloth, fill jars to 1/2 inch from the top, screw the lids on and process for 10 minutes in a steam canner or boiling water bath.

WAANNA PLAY?

Try this recipe using barely ripe red tomatoes- delicious!