Sweet pickled green tomatoes filled with walnuts

The sweet and sour jam made from stuffed green tomatoes with walnuts is a traditional delight that brings a touch of nostalgia in every jar. This simple yet refined recipe is perfect for preserving the taste of summer and adding a sweet and tangy accent to your table. Below, I will present the necessary steps to achieve an extraordinary green tomato jam, along with some useful tips to enhance your preparation.

Preparation time: 1 hour
Cooking time: 2-3 hours
Total time: 3-4 hours
Number of servings: approximately 10 jars of 400g

Ingredients:
- 2.5 kg green tomatoes (choose small and firm tomatoes for optimal results)
- 2.5 kg sugar
- 2 liters water
- 2 lemons (juice and zest)
- 4 sachets of vanilla sugar
- 500 g walnuts (ground or chopped, depending on preference)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the green tomatoes: Start by washing the green tomatoes well under a stream of cold water, ensuring you remove any residues. Remove the stems and clean each tomato from the inner casing, taking care not to break them. This step is essential for later filling them with walnuts.

2. Preparing the syrup: In a large pot, add 2 liters of water and 2.5 kg of sugar. Mix well and place the pot over medium heat. Add the juice and zest of the two lemons to give a fresh taste and pleasant aroma. Once the sugar has completely dissolved, let the syrup boil for about 10 minutes until it becomes slightly viscous.

3. Filling the green tomatoes: Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix the ground walnuts with the vanilla sugar. Use a teaspoon or a special filling device to introduce the walnut mixture into the tomatoes, making sure not to overfill them to avoid breaking.

4. Boiling the tomatoes in syrup: Once the tomatoes are filled, carefully add them to the hot syrup. Let them simmer on low heat for about 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. It is important not to boil the tomatoes too quickly, as they risk becoming soft and losing their shape.

5. Bottling: After the tomatoes have become transparent and the syrup has thickened, carefully take them out of the pot with a spatula and place them into sterilized jars. Fill the jars with warm syrup to the brim, ensuring that the tomatoes are completely covered.

6. Sealing the jars: Close the jars with lids and let them cool to room temperature. Once they have completely cooled, store them in a cool, dark place.

Serving suggestions: The sweet and sour jam made from stuffed green tomatoes with walnuts is perfect as a side for cheeses or as a filling for cakes. Serve it alongside a slice of toasted bread or as a topping for pancakes, thus adding a burst of flavor to your meal.

Possible variations: You can experiment with different types of nuts, such as almonds or hazelnuts, to achieve a different flavor. Additionally, you can add spices like cinnamon or cloves to the syrup to enhance the taste.

Useful tips: Ensure that the green tomatoes are firm and healthy to avoid any risks of fermentation. It is recommended to use sterilized jars to prolong the shelf life of the jam. If you desire a less sweet jam, you can reduce the amount of sugar, but in this case, it is good to also adjust the boiling time to achieve an optimal consistency.

This recipe for sweet and sour jam made from stuffed green tomatoes with walnuts is not just a treat but also a way to preserve the aroma of the season in every jar. Enjoy every spoonful and savor the authentic taste of this delicacy!