Green Tomato Spice Cake

Many of you now have your tomatoes planted, and if like me, are almost biting at the bit for them to ripen and have that first “tomato sandwich,” of this year!

I also love fried green tomatoes, but I try to hold off on those, until I start getting some ripe one’s coming in first, but I do love them both ways.

I ran across this recipe last night, and thought I might have to get Deb to try this for me. I love tomatoes, and I love spice cake, so this has intrigued me a bit. Mom has told me, but I’ve not tasted one yet, of a green tomato pie, that she says is delicious. If any of you guys have a recipe for this, I’d love to get my hands on one!

Green Tomato Spice Cake:

• 2 cups green tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ cup vegetable shortening
• ½ teaspoon powdered cloves
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ½ cup seedless raisins
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup walnuts, chopped

Simmer green tomatoes and ½ cup of sugar until tomatoes are well cooked, and transparent. Strain through a colander or sieve to remove seeds, cores, and skins.

There should be 1-1/4 cup of pulp. Cool.

Cream remaining 1 cup sugar, and shortening until fluffy. Add the eggs. Blend soda into cooked tomato pulp and add gradually to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, combine salt, spices, and flour. Gradually add but one cup of the flour mixture to the batter beating well. Finally, add raisins and nuts to remaining cup of flour and mix to coat well. Add all at once to batter and beat well.

Pour into a well-greased and floured square cake pan and bake on 350 for 35-40 minutes, until lightly browned, and the touch of a finger does not leave an impression.
Serve plain, or frosted.

Hamburger and Green Tomato Casserole:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 medium green tomatoes, sliced
• ½ green pepper, chopped
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Brown hamburger, onion, garlic, and green peppers. Add salt, pepper and tomato sauce, and cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened.

Spread ½ of the green tomato slices in the bottom of a greased casserole dish, top with ½ of the cheese, then with ½ of the hamburger mixture. Repeat layers, then bake 30 minutes on 350.