This Green Tomato Mincemeat is a clever Depression-era recipe that transforms surplus green tomatoes into a richly spiced, fruit-forward filling. Often used as a pie filling or cake mix-in, this vegetarian twist on traditional mincemeat is laced with raisins, brown sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. The vinegar adds a gentle tang that balances the sweetness. With its deep, complex flavor, it evokes the heart of fall baking and old-fashioned holiday warmth.
Ingredients
- 8 quarts green tomatoes (chopped)
- cold water (for rinsing)
- 5 lbs dark brown sugar
- 2 lbs raisins
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 cup chopped suet (use butter for a vegetarian option)
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp ground cloves
- 1 tbsp ground allspice
- 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Tomatoes
- Chop green tomatoes and place in a large bowl.
- Rinse and drain thoroughly. Repeat rinse and drain a second time.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
- Place drained tomatoes in a large stockpot.
- Add brown sugar, raisins, vinegar, and chopped suet (or butter).
- Stir in salt and all the spices (cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg).
Step 3: Cook the Mincemeat
- Simmer over low heat for 2–2.5 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Cook until mixture thickens and darkens in color, similar to raisins.
Step 4: Store or Use
- Cool slightly before storing in sterilized jars.
- Seal and refrigerate, or process jars for long-term storage.
- Use as a pie filling, cake mix-in, or tart base.
Tips
- Use butter in place of suet for a vegetarian option.
- Add chopped apples for sweetness and body.
- Substitute part of the raisins with currants for a more traditional profile.
- Add a splash of brandy or rum after cooling for flavor depth.
- Use golden raisins for lighter color and fruitiness.
- Stir in candied citrus peel for classic holiday mincemeat.
- Cook longer for a thicker, more jam-like consistency.
- Reduce brown sugar for a less sweet, tangier mincemeat.
- Add a pinch of ginger for additional warmth.
- Store refrigerated up to 2 weeks or freeze for long-term keeping.
- Use as pie filling, cookie filling, or stir into holiday breads.
Nutrition
Calories: 168kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 1gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.05gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.05gSodium: 118mgPotassium: 285mgFiber: 2gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1.1mg
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