Vegetarian Mincemeat

Make a big batch of vegetarian mincemeat so that you can make a few pies and have some left over to serve with ice cream, custard, pudding, or crêpes. You can also can or freeze it for later.

INGREDIENTS

1 unpeeled orange, washed
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 lb raisins or currants
1 lb pitted prunes, halved
2 1/2 quarts apples, chopped (peeling is optional)
2 1/2 quarts green tomatoes, chopped
1 lb brown sugar
1/2 cup dark molasses (not blackstrap) or sorghum syrup
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ginger

DIRECTIONS

Quarter the unpeeled orange and remove all the seeds. Place in food processor with vinegar and half of the raisins, and process into a chunky paste. Transfer to pot.

Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower heat and simmer, stirring often, about 30-40 minutes, until mixture is thick and apples and tomatoes are cooked but not falling apart.

Can, refrigerate, or freeze the mincemeat until ready to use.

For mincemeat pie: Roll out two pie crusts. Place one in a pie plate, then pour in 3 cups of cooled mincemeat. Top with second pie crust, crimp the edges, make slits in the top, and bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden.

Notes: You can replace some of the raisins and/or prunes with walnuts.