Green Tomato Jam

Name: Green Tomato Jam
Prep time: 90 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 25
Ingredients: Green tomatoes marinda 2.2 lbs; Sugar 2 ½ cups; Lemon peel 2; Fresh ginger 1 oz

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Calories per serving

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Vegetarian
Vegan

Energy Kcal 40
Carbohydrates g 9.7
of which sugars g 9.6
Protein g 0.2
of which saturated fat g 0.01
Fiber g 0.2
Sodium mg 1

Difficulty: Very easy
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Serving: 25
Cost: Very low
Note + the time for jar sterilization

PRESENTATION

Green tomato jam is such a cool twist on the usual Italian cheese boards. It's like this tangy surprise that just wakes up your taste buds. Seriously good. This isn’t your everyday preserve; it’s really all about mixing the sweet heart of ripe tomatoes with a hint of ginger's spicy freshness. In northern Italy, people love it. They want to add a fresh twist to their beloved cheeses. And the color? The jam’s unique look and slightly crispy texture come from the tomatoes, while ginger keeps it interesting—without taking over. It’s a fantastic way to turn those leftover green tomatoes into something you’ll want to spread on everything. Some even swap this for the classic fig or onion jams. Pretty simple. It adds a cool pop of color to any cheese plate.

Taking this homemade green tomato jam beyond cheese is where the fun starts. Italians often spoon it over grilled meats, where the mix of tender beef and the jam’s sweet and tangy flavors really really shine. If you’re feeling creative, try these green tomato preserves in a tart—it’s a whole new take on dessert. Not too sweet but, you know, surprises everyone at the table. Also, the jam works as a green tomato spread for sandwiches, adding something extra to cold cuts or roasted veggies. Fans of green tomato chutney or green tomato marmalade will love this version. It's way way less sharp but still packs a ton of flavor. And listen, there's no rule on how to use this jam. And that’s what makes it fun. It's the kind of thing you bring out at a get-together, and suddenly everyone wants to know what's on their plate. For anyone into preserving green tomatoes or hunting for new green tomato recipes, this jam gives you a moist, golden surprise with every bite. Whether you’re serving it with cheese, meats, or in creative desserts, it’s a versatile and exciting addition to any meal.

INGREDIENTS
Ingredients for 1.6 lbs of jam: Green tomatoes 2.2 lbs (1 kg) - marinda; Sugar 2 ½ cups (500 g); Lemon peel 2; Fresh ginger 1 oz (30 g)

Preparation

How to prepare Green Tomato Jam

To prepare the green tomato jam, start by sanitizing the jars and lids, as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health indicated at the end of the recipe. Wash the jars under running water 1. Take a large pot with high sides and line it with a clean dishcloth. Place inside the jars to be sanitized. Arrange more dishcloths in the gaps between the jars to prevent them from cracking due to any bumps during boiling 2. Cover the pot with water until it fully covers the jars. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let boil for 20 minutes, then immerse the lids. Let them boil for another 10 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let them cool. When the water has reached room temperature, take the jars and let them dry on a dry cloth 3.

Wash the green tomatoes well under plenty of water 4 and dry them with a cloth. Then remove the stem 5 and cut them first into quarters and then halve each quarter 6.

Then take a large saucepan. Pour in the green tomatoes 7 and the sugar 8. Grate the zest of two untreated lemons into the saucepan 9.

Now grate the ginger as well 10. Use a spatula to mix the ingredients well 11. Cook over high heat until the temperature reaches 226°F. Be sure to stir while cooking to prevent the jam from sticking to the pan. The tomatoes will take on a brown color due to the caramelization of the green tomatoes 12.

Finally, using a ladle, pour the green tomato jam into the sterilized jars while still hot 13, leaving 0.4 inches of space from the rim of each jar. Then close them well, but not too tightly 14, and let them cool 15. The heat from the jam will naturally create a vacuum, allowing the product to be preserved for a long time. Once the jars have cooled, check if the vacuum has been properly formed: you can press the center of the lid and, if you do not hear the classic "click-clack," the vacuum has occurred. Your green tomato jam is ready to be enjoyed!

Storage

The green tomato jam can be stored for about 3 months, provided the vacuum has been properly formed and the jars are stored in a cool, dry place, away from sources of light and heat. It is advised to wait at least 2-3 weeks before consuming the jam. Once opened, each jar should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 days at most.

Tip

For a sweeter jam with a less pronounced flavor, you can choose to omit the ginger. If you want to prepare it for tarts, you can also blend it with an immersion blender to reduce the tomatoes to a puree: an irresistible version!

IMPORTANT

Homemade preparation of preserves and jams can pose health risks. In a domestic environment, it is not possible to create the conditions and measures necessary to ensure food safety and suitability, which industrial procedures can instead guarantee to prevent dangerous contamination. It is therefore important to carefully follow food safety instructions to reduce risks, but it should always be remembered that the same food safety cannot be achieved as in professionally produced preserves and jams. For correct preparation of homemade preserves, we refer to the Ministry of Health guidelines.

Curiosity

These particular tomatoes had a moment of glory that brought them to the spotlight on tables when the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" was released, based on the book "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café" (check out the recipe we propose for Fried Green Tomatoes). In the latter, the recipe for preparing fried green tomatoes is indicated on the last page of the book.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.