Recipe for pickled tomatoes with marigolds for the winter, storage conditions and shelf life

There are countless recipes for preserving tomatoes: they're cooked whole, sliced, ripe, brown, or green. And the variety of additional ingredients and spices is astonishing. Every home cook has their own signature recipe, proudly shared. A winter recipe for tomatoes with marigolds can become a signature recipe, and the tomatoes will surprise with their flavor. Placing a jar of these beautiful flowers on the table will amaze everyone.

What do marigolds provide when preserving tomatoes?

Marigolds are better known as marigolds (in Ukrainian). These unpretentious flowers delight gardeners from summer until late fall. But few consider their use as a spice. They can easily replace saffron, a very expensive spice. Tomatoes canned according to this recipe have an unusual, stunning flavor and an incomparable bouquet of aromas.

One of the advantages is that there is no need to use any spices; marigolds are self-sufficient in the pickling process.

Necessary ingredients

The simplicity lies in the fact that the recipe does not contain a large number of components:

1. Tomatoes. Choose firm, undamaged tomatoes. Small ones are preferable, especially if marinating in liter-sized jars. Large tomatoes will be difficult to remove from the jars; they may become unsightly, and the finished snack will look unappealing. Wash the tomatoes and remove the stems. Before placing them in the jars, pierce the stem with a toothpick to prevent the tomatoes from cracking during marinating.
2. Marigolds. Flowers and leaves should be selected undamaged and not dry. They should be thoroughly washed and dried.
3. If desired, you can add garlic and increase the amount of sugar if you want a sweeter snack.

Method of preparation

The preparation method is surprisingly simple; even a novice cook can handle it. For a liter-sized jar, you'll need the following ingredients:

• tomatoes - 0.6 kg;
• marigolds with leaves - 2 pieces;
• garlic - ½ clove;
• water - 360 ml;
• vinegar - 33 ml;
• salt - 10 g;
• sugar - 25 g.

Procedure:

• Remove the stems from the selected, washed fruits and pierce the place where they are attached with a toothpick to prevent the fruits from cracking during canning.
• Place one flower with leaves and garlic on the bottom of a washed container of the required volume.
• Place the tomatoes and put the second flower on top.
• Add the required amount of salt and sugar, then pour in the vinegar. You can replace the vinegar with 4 g of citric acid.

• Bring water to a boil and pour it over the tomatoes. The amount of liquid will vary depending on how full the container is.
• Cover with a lid and sterilize for a quarter of an hour.
• Close the jar tightly with a suitable lid, turn it upside down to check the seal, and cover it so that the contents of the container are thoroughly heated.
• After cooling, the brine acquires a pleasant golden hue.

How and how long are the blanks stored?

Tomatoes marinated in this manner, if the recommended proportions and preparation technology are observed, are stored in a dark room until the next tomato harvest, which lasts for a full year. If the containers are kept cool and dark, the shelf life will increase to three years. It is not advisable to store the jar on balconies during periods of severe frost, as the jar will freeze and burst.

Additional information

Tomatoes and marigolds are the main ingredients in the recipe and have important qualities:

• Tomatoes are low in calories. The presence of vinegar and the heat treatment reduce the amount of valuable vitamins, but the beneficial microelements and substances in tomatoes remain. And the proportion of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, even increases.
• Marigolds are flowers that deserve special attention. The ground flowers are the Georgian spice zafaran, also known as Imeretian saffron. Some consider it akin to saffron, but the spices are distinct. The orange-red flowers are considered more fragrant.

• It's no wonder marigold flowers are used as a pharmacological raw material; their valuable properties have long been known. They contain carotenoids, especially lutein, which can reduce the risk of cataracts. Furthermore, the flowers have bactericidal, diaphoretic, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Remarkably, the flowers retain their beneficial properties even when cooked.
• They have some pain-relieving properties, help improve metabolism, strengthen vision, and relieve fatigue and stress. They are an effective preventative for colds and boost the immune system.

This tomato recipe will definitely become a favorite among any home cook's favorites. This appetizer will be a favorite for any holiday or family dinner.