The trick is to wait to wash it right before you use it; washing it ahead of time causes fresh fruit and vege, etc., to spoil faster.

Second batch of green tomato relish finished today and I had some at lunch - this is so good, and you can't use just a little. I made a sandwich with a link of Kielbasa style sausage, one with extra pepper (!) and must have slathered the toasted roll with at least a 1/4 cup of relish. That's all you need for a really great sandwich (the relish is tomatoes, peppers, onion, celery seed, mustard seed, vinegar, sugar, and a little salt.)