This summer has been awesome and my family’s recent vacation at the New Jersey shore was definitely a highlight. Everyone in my extended family takes a week each year to stay at my Grandmother’s bungalow. I have lots of stories and pictures to share, including several beer reviews and some recipes.
Some of these recipes I’ve always known and some I had to look up on Grandma’s recipe cards. This tomato salad, or tomato relish, is very popular with hundreds of variations, but here is how Grandma makes it with Jersey Tomatoes.
Grandma’s Summer Tomato Salad
- 4 tomatoes, chopped or sliced (preferably blanched and peeled)
- 1 medium onion, chopped or diced
- ½ green pepper, diced
- ½ red pepper, diced
- 1 large celery stalk, chopped or thin sliced
- 2 TBS white vinegar
- 2 TBS sugar
- 2 TBS fresh chopped basil (optional)
- ½ cup cold water
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- Mix all ingredients in a large glass jar (or bowl)
- Chill overnight; drain to serve (Note: you may want to double this recipe)
This salad is refreshing on a hot afternoon and goes well with a light wheat ale, though many beer styles will work too, such as ESB’s, pale ales, and pilsners. Not only is this tasty, it is also very healthy. Enjoy!
