Description
These Savory Southern-Style Pickled Green Tomatoes offer a tangy and slightly spicy flavor perfect for enhancing sandwiches, salads, and more. Crisp green tomato slices are soaked in a flavorful vinegar brine infused with mustard seed, celery seed, and red pepper flakes to create a classic Southern delicacy that is easy to prepare and store.
Ingredients
Scale
Pickled Green Tomatoes
- 12 medium green tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
Pickling Brine
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- 1 tablespoon celery seed
- 1 tablespoon mustard seed
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Wash the green tomatoes thoroughly and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds, ensuring uniform size for even pickling.
- Make Pickling Brine: In a large pot over medium heat, combine white vinegar, water, sugar, sea salt, celery seed, mustard seed, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil to dissolve the sugar and salt and to release the flavors of the spices.
- Pour Brine Over Tomatoes: Remove the pot from heat and pour the hot brine carefully over the sliced green tomatoes in a heatproof container, stirring gently to evenly distribute the brine and spices around the tomato slices.
- Cool Completely: Allow the tomatoes to cool fully while submerged in the brine at room temperature, which helps the flavors meld together and prevents spoilage.
- Preserve Pickles: For extended shelf life, either can the pickled tomatoes using sterilized jars and a water bath method or transfer them into airtight containers suitable for refrigeration.
- Refrigerate and Marinate: Refrigerate the pickles for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors to develop fully, ensuring a delicious tangy taste.
Notes
- For a spicier variation, increase the red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon.
- The pickled tomatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or canned for longer preservation.
- Use firm, unripe green tomatoes for the best crisp texture.
- If canning, ensure jars are sterilized and follow proper canning procedures for safety.
- Enjoy these pickled tomatoes as a snack, condiment, or in salads and sandwiches.
