Sweet Green Tomato Pickles

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 lb small green tomatoes (about 18)
• 3 tbsp pickling salt
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 3 tbsp mustard seed
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp celery seed
• 3 cups sliced onions
• 2 large red bell peppers, chopped
• 1 hot pepper, finely chopped

Directions

1. Slice tomatoes 1/4 inch thick. Place in a nonreactive container. Sprinkle with salt and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate overnight; rinse and drain thoroughly.
2. To prepare pickling liquid, combine vinegar, sugar, brown sugar and spices in a non-reactive Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Add onions; return to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Add tomatoes and peppers and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Ladle into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles with a narrow rubber spatula or plastic knife. Add additional pickling liquid, if required, to maintain headspace. Wipe jar rims thoroughly with a clean damp cloth.
5. Seal and process in a boiling water bath. At altitudes up to 1000 ft, process 15 minutes. For altitudes of 1001 - 3000 ft, process 20 minutes. For altitudes of 3001 – 6000 ft, process 25 minutes.