• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
  • !/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups canola oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 to 2 1/2 cup green tomato, chopped
  • 3/4 c. chopped walnuts, optional
  • 1 small 8 oz can crushed pineapple and its juices
  • 2 tablespoons candied ginger, chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried apple bits
  • Brown Butter Icing
  • 1 cup salted butter
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cup powdered or light brown sugar

In honor of my recent visit to the Raleigh Farmers Market with NC Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall, I created this recipe highlighting green tomatoes.  The Secretary and I discussed local sustainability, her life as a farmer’s daughter and the benefits of buying local fresh ingredients. After shopping at the local Farmer’s Market we made our way back to my home to cook up two recipes featuring the produce we’d purchased. I surprised the Secretary with my Green Tomato Cake recipe created especially for her. On the Cooking with Elise website, the Secretary commented, “(During my visit to Elise’s home) we also taste tested Elise’s Green Tomato Cake and officially declared it a fantastic hit.”

The Secretary and me admiring all of the fresh local ingredients. So many beautiful things to choose from. What’s a girl to do?

 

Growing up in my grandmother’s kitchen, I gleaned so very much from her. The Secretary and I discussed how elated my grandmother would feel had she had the opportunity to see the NC Secretary of State cook along with me in my kitchen and to gather together for a special meal.

Look at those beautiful green tomatoes from Lee’s Produce at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh, NC

In a large bowl, sift the flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, mace, nutmeg, baking soda, powder and salt together. Set aside. This is a great job for the kiddos to help with!

Did you know? A little salt enhances the sweetness of desserts.

In a mixer, combine sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in green tomatoes, chopped walnuts, pineapple, candied ginger and dried fruit.  Pour batter into a 9 x 13- inch baking pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake in a 350-degree oven until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean about one hour.

While the cake is baking, melt butter in a small saucepan and stir until it becomes a dark brown color. Brown butter adds a very nice nutty flavor to icing. Allow butter to cool and then add vanilla and powdered. Immediately frost you cake when you remove it from it from the oven.

Near and dear to her heart, the Secretary takes time to speak to a local 4 H group.