Zesty Cucumber Mustard Relish
Elevate your meals with this delightful Zesty Cucumber Mustard Relish, a vibrant and tangy condiment that's perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, or simply adding a burst of flavor to your sandwiches and burgers. This easy-to-make relish combines the crispness of cucumbers, the sweetness of bell peppers, and a kick from horseradish, all balanced with a touch of mustard. Preserve this zesty goodness in jars for a handy condiment that will impress your family and friends. Serve it alongside grilled meats or as a topping for your favorite dishes.
5
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cucumbers
2 medium (peeled, seeded, and finely chopped)
Bell Pepper
1 large (finely chopped)
Onions
2 medium (finely chopped)
White Vinegar
1/4 cup
Horseradish
1-2 teaspoons (prepared)
French's Mustard
2 teaspoons
Salt
1 teaspoon
Celery Seed
1 teaspoon
Ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon
White Sugar
2 cups
Powdered Fruit Pectin
3/4 ounce
Instructions
1
Begin by thoroughly peeling, seeding, and finely chopping the cucumbers, and set aside.
2
Finely chop the onions and bell pepper, combining them in a bowl with the cucumbers.
3
Place the chopped vegetables in a colander and let them drain for 1 hour to remove excess moisture. After draining, squeeze out any additional liquid.
4
In a large pot, combine the drained vegetables with white vinegar, French's mustard, horseradish, salt, celery seed, and ground ginger. Mix well to combine.
5
Sprinkle the powdered fruit pectin over the vegetable mixture and stir vigorously to ensure it's evenly distributed.
6
Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches a full rolling boil, then gradually add in the white sugar while stirring continuously.
7
Return the mixture to a hard boil, stirring often, and boil for 1 full minute.
8
Remove the pot from heat. Carefully skim off any foam from the surface of the relish.
9
Using sterilized jars, ladle in the hot relish, leaving 1/8 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
10
Process the filled jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes at altitudes up to 1000 feet.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Cucumber Mustard Relish?
Zesty Cucumber Mustard Relish is a vibrant and tangy condiment made with cucumbers, bell peppers, and horseradish, balanced with mustard and sugar.
What are the primary vegetables in this relish?
The main vegetables used are medium cucumbers, a large bell pepper, and medium onions.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 5 servings.
Do I need to peel and seed the cucumbers?
Yes, the instructions specify that the cucumbers should be thoroughly peeled, seeded, and then finely chopped.
How long should the vegetables drain?
The chopped cucumbers, onions, and bell pepper should drain in a colander for 1 hour to remove excess moisture.
Is it necessary to squeeze the vegetables after draining?
Yes, after the 1-hour draining period, you should squeeze out any remaining liquid to ensure the relish has the correct consistency.
What type of mustard is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 teaspoons of French's Mustard.
What gives this relish its 'zesty' kick?
The zesty flavor comes from the combination of 1-2 teaspoons of prepared horseradish and white vinegar.
What role does powdered fruit pectin play?
Powdered fruit pectin acts as a thickening agent to help the relish achieve its desired texture.
How much sugar is used in this recipe?
This recipe requires 2 cups of white sugar, which is added after the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
What spices are used to season the relish?
The relish is seasoned with salt, celery seed, and ground ginger.
How long should the mixture boil after adding sugar?
Once returned to a hard boil after adding sugar, the mixture should boil for exactly 1 full minute.
Should I remove the foam from the relish?
Yes, after removing the pot from the heat, you should carefully skim off any foam from the surface before jarring.
How much headspace should be left in the canning jars?
You should leave 1/8 inch of headspace at the top of each sterilized jar.
How long do the jars need to be processed in a water bath?
The filled jars should be processed in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Is the processing time affected by altitude?
The 10-minute processing time is valid for altitudes up to 1000 feet; higher altitudes may require adjustments.
What is the best way to serve Zesty Cucumber Mustard Relish?
It is perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, sandwiches, burgers, or served alongside grilled meats.
What type of vinegar should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of white vinegar.
Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?
The recipe specifies 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger for the specific flavor profile intended.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 total ingredients required for this relish.
Should the jars be sterilized?
Yes, the instructions state to use sterilized jars when ladling in the hot relish.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Vegetable dishes.
Is this relish a sweet or savory condiment?
It is a balance of both; it contains sugar for sweetness but also vinegar, mustard, and horseradish for a tangy, savory bite.
How many onions are needed?
You will need 2 medium onions, finely chopped.
How do I ensure the pectin is distributed evenly?
You should sprinkle the pectin over the vegetable mixture and stir vigorously.
Can I substitute the bell pepper?
While the recipe calls for 1 large bell pepper, you could likely use different colors of bell peppers depending on your preference.
Is this a good recipe for preserving?
Yes, this is a canning recipe designed to be preserved in jars for later use.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to thoroughly peel, seed, and finely chop the cucumbers.
Can this be used as a burger topping?
Absolutely, it is specifically recommended as a burst of flavor for burgers and sandwiches.
What is the heat level for boiling the mixture initially?
The mixture should be heated over medium-high heat until it reaches a full rolling boil.