Green Tomato Preserves

1. Chop tomatoes into medium pieces.
2. Halve and slice lemon in thin strips.
3. Dump into a gigantic pot.
4. Add all the sugar.
5. Add enough water to come about 2/3 up the tomatoes.
6. Turn on medium-high heat and stir till sugar is dissolved.
7. Once it reaches a gentle boil, reduce heat till just it just keeps the boil.
8. It will take around 3 hours to reduce the mixture to a jam consistency. Just let it bubble away until it sets up on a cold plate. Stir occasionally to help break down the tomatoes.
9. Sterilize jars and lids (I got seven 8-oz. and give 12-oz. jars out of this amount).
10. Skim any foam off the surface and ladle into hot jars.
11. Wipe edges, seal, and process preserves for 10 minutes in a water bath.