Recipe: Green Tomato Pickles for Tilly

GREEN TOMATO PICKLES

1 gallon thinly sliced unpeeled green tomatoes
1 quart thinly sliced onion
1/3 cup salt
1 talespoon whole peppercorns
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1/8 teaspoon red pepper
1 lemon, thinly sliced
3 cups white vinegar
3 cups firmly packed brown sugar

Combine tomatoes and onion in large glass, ceramic,or stainless steel container; sprinkle with salt.Cover and let stand in a cool place overnight.
Rinse tomatoes and onion serveral times in cold water; drain. Set aside.
Combine spices and lemon; tie loosely in a cheesecloth bag. Combine spice bag, vinegar and sugar in a stainless steel stockpot;bring to a boil. Add reserved tomatoes and onion. Return to boil. Reduce heat;simmeruncovered,10 min., stirring gently several times. Remove spice bag. Pack into jars.Remove air bubbles. Process in boiling water bath for 10 min. Yield 4 pts.