Garden Delight Relish
This vibrant Garden Delight Relish is a cherished family recipe that has been lovingly adapted over the years. Originally crafted using green tomatoes, this versatile relish now showcases the sweet and mild flavors of oversized zucchini, making it perfect for those moments when your garden overflows with produce. Infused with crunchy cabbage and a medley of colorful bell peppers, this relish strikes a delightful balance between sweet and tangy, providing a unique texture that enhances everything from burgers and hot dogs to fish and chips. My mother often reached for it as a substitute for tartar sauce, and it was always a hit in our household, outshining store-bought condiments. Don’t miss the chance to preserve the bounty of your garden with this recipe, especially when those giant zucchinis beckon! Note: For an unpeeled zesty touch, feel free to include the skin of the zucchini, as it adds a beautiful color and additional nutrients. Prep time includes an overnight drain, creating a relish that meshes beautifully with any meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Green tomatoes or zucchini
8 quarts (Ground)
Salt
1 cup (For seasoning)
Cabbage
1 medium head (Ground)
Green bell peppers
6 (Ground)
Red bell peppers
5 (Ground)
Onions
6 medium (Ground)
White vinegar
3 quarts (For cooking)
Sugar
8 cups (For sweetness)
Celery seeds
2 tablespoons (For flavor)
Mustard seeds
2 tablespoons (For flavor)
Ground cloves
1 teaspoon (For flavor)
Instructions
1
Finely grind the green tomatoes or zucchini, cabbage, green and red bell peppers, and onions using a coarsest blade on either a meat grinder or food processor.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground vegetables with 1 cup of salt, mixing thoroughly to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated.
3
Transfer the salted vegetable mixture into a clean, sturdy cloth bag and hang over a non-metal container. Allow the mixture to drain overnight to remove excess moisture.
4
The next day, remove the drained vegetables from the bag and transfer them into a large, non-reactive pot. Add the white vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, mustard seeds, and ground cloves to the pot.
5
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook slowly for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6
Prepare your canning jars by sterilizing them in boiling water. Once the relish is ready, carefully pour it into the sterilized pints, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
7
Seal the jars with sterilized lids and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure they are preserved safely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garden Delight Relish?
Garden Delight Relish is a vibrant, family-cherished condiment originally made with green tomatoes but now often adapted to use oversized zucchini.
Can I use zucchini instead of green tomatoes?
Yes, this recipe specifically highlights using oversized zucchini as a sweet and mild alternative to green tomatoes.
How do I prepare the vegetables for the relish?
You should finely grind the green tomatoes or zucchini, cabbage, peppers, and onions using the coarsest blade of a meat grinder or food processor.
Why do the vegetables need to sit with salt?
Mixing the ground vegetables with salt helps to draw out excess moisture, which is then drained away overnight.
How long should the vegetable mixture drain?
The mixture should be placed in a cloth bag and allowed to drain over a non-metal container overnight.
What type of vinegar is used in this recipe?
This recipe requires 3 quarts of white vinegar.
How much sugar is needed for the Garden Delight Relish?
The recipe calls for 8 cups of sugar to achieve its signature sweet and tangy balance.
What spices give this relish its flavor?
The flavor profile is created using celery seeds, mustard seeds, and ground cloves.
Should I peel the zucchini?
It is optional; leaving the skin on adds a zesty touch, beautiful color, and additional nutrients.
How long do I cook the relish mixture?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, you should reduce the heat and simmer it slowly for 20 minutes.
How much headspace should be left in the canning jars?
When filling the sterilized pint jars, you should leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
How long is the water bath processing time?
The sealed jars should be processed in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure safe preservation.
What can I serve Garden Delight Relish with?
It pairs perfectly with burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, or as a unique substitute for tartar sauce.
How many onions are required?
The recipe calls for 6 medium onions, ground.
How many bell peppers are needed?
You will need 6 green bell peppers and 5 red bell peppers.
What size cabbage should I use?
One medium head of cabbage, ground, is required for this recipe.
Can I use a food processor instead of a meat grinder?
Yes, a food processor with a coarse blade is an acceptable substitute for a meat grinder.
What is the total amount of green tomatoes or zucchini needed?
The recipe requires 8 quarts of ground green tomatoes or zucchini.
Is this recipe suitable for canning?
Yes, the instructions include sterilization and a boiling water bath process for long-term preservation.
Why is a non-metal container recommended for draining?
Using a non-metal container prevents any potential metallic reactions with the salted vegetable juices.
How much salt is used in the initial prep?
One cup of salt is mixed with the vegetables to aid in the draining process.
How many cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground cloves.
Does the prep time include the draining?
Yes, the prep time includes the necessary overnight drain to achieve the proper texture.
How much celery seed and mustard seed is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of celery seeds and 2 tablespoons of mustard seeds.
Is the relish sweet or tangy?
It strikes a delightful balance between both sweet and tangy flavors.
What is the texture of the relish?
The relish has a unique, crunchy texture thanks to the cabbage and ground vegetables.
Can I make a half batch?
While the recipe lists specific large quantities, it can be scaled down as long as the ratios of vinegar, sugar, and salt remain consistent.
What kind of jars are best for this recipe?
Sterilized pint jars are recommended for storing and processing the relish.
What is the primary benefit of using oversized zucchini?
It is an excellent way to use up garden bounty that might otherwise go to waste, providing a mild base for the relish.
Does the relish contain any fat or cholesterol?
Based on the ingredient list, this relish is naturally fat-free and cholesterol-free.