Green Tomato Mincemeat

This old family recipe is from Aunt Lois Strickler Foley.

6 cups diced green tomatoes
1 tablespoon of salt
2 pounds dried fruits (choose a combination of currents, raisins, cranberries, figs, apricots, or dates)
1 - 2 cups whiskey (River Hill Bourbon or Jameson Irish Whiskey)
1 cup Amaretto
3 cups finely chopped apples
1.5 pounds of brown sugar
1/2 cup shredded beef suet or one stick butter
3 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon mace
1 teaspoon nutmeg
zest of two oranges
juice of two oranges
1 cup champagne or white wine vinegar

Cover diced tomatoes with water. Add salt. Stir and soak for 1 hour.

Cover dried fruit with Amaretto and enough whiskey to completely emerge all fruit. Soak for 1 hour.

Add apples, brown sugar, beef suet or butter, cinnamon, cloves, mace, nutmeg, orange zest, orange juice, and vinegar to a large stainless steel pot. Add drained tomatoes. Add dried fruit with the whiskey and Amaretto.

Simmer for 1-2 hours at a low boil until thickened.

Makes 6 quarts.