Randy Relish

With all the fresh tomatoes on hand we keep a jar of Randy Relish going all the time. Randy Relish is what some people call tomato slaw or tomato relish that is not canned but eaten fresh as a side dish.

I have a large half gallon jar that I fill with tomatoes, sliced onion and sliced jalapeno pepper. You can put anything in it, green peppers, cucumbers or whatever you like. For this jar, I add 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup vinegar, black pepper and 1/4 cup water. Shake the Dickens out of the jar to mix. The tomatoes will make liquid. When it settles and has made enough liquid, taste to adjust the seasoning. If you like it more tart, add a little vinegar. Sweeter, more sugar. I like crushed basil in it. This can keep going until the tomatoes are gone, just make sure to keep the liquid vinegary and as sweet as you like it. I can't eat the jalapenos, but I like the zip it gives the tomatoes.

My Mom used to make cucumbers and onions - I make it too - and that uses the same kind of "dressing". I don't have enough produce on hand to make another batch of salsa, so I am going to blanch, peel, core and chop my tomatoes and freeze them in 13 cup batches. When I get the onions and other stuff, all I have to do is make the salsa and I'll have the worst part done.

Rain, rain go away...come again another day...do you believe this weather!!!!