Zesty Garden Zucchini Relish
This delightful Zesty Garden Zucchini Relish is a vibrant blend of fresh vegetables and spices, capturing the essence of summer gardens. Inspired by a cherished family recipe originally found in a local newspaper, this relish has garnered accolades, including a First Place award at the county fair! It boasts a tangy flavor profile that perfectly complements sandwiches, burgers, and grilled meats, making it an essential condiment for your kitchen. Whether you're looking to liven up your meals or preserve the tastes of your home garden, this relish is sure to become a family favorite.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Grated zucchini
10 cups (Grated)
Sliced onions
4 cups (Sliced)
Red bell peppers
3 (Chopped)
Green bell peppers
3 (Chopped)
Vinegar
2 1/4 cups (Distilled or apple cider vinegar)
Granulated sugar
3 cups (N/A)
Nutmeg
2 teaspoons (Ground)
Turmeric
2 teaspoons (Ground)
Celery seeds
5 teaspoons (N/A)
Gourmet peppercorn blend
2 teaspoons (Ground)
Salt
1/4 cup (Coarse or table salt)
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine the grated zucchini, sliced onions, chopped red and green peppers.
2
Sprinkle the vegetables with 1/4 cup of salt and let them stand overnight, allowing the salt to draw out moisture.
3
The next day, drain off the excess liquid and transfer the vegetable mixture to a large kettle.
4
Add the vinegar, sugar, nutmeg, turmeric, celery seeds, and ground peppercorns to the kettle, stirring to combine.
5
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6
While the relish is simmering, prepare your canning jars by sterilizing them in boiling water or running them through the dishwasher.
7
Once the relish is finished simmering, carefully ladle the hot mixture into the prepared jars, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace at the top.
8
Seal the jars with sterilized lids and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure proper sealing.
9
Remove the jars from the water bath and allow them to cool completely on a clean cloth or wire rack before storing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Garden Zucchini Relish?
It is a vibrant, tangy condiment made from fresh zucchini, onions, and peppers, inspired by a cherished family recipe.
How many cups of zucchini are required for this recipe?
You will need 10 cups of grated zucchini.
What quantity of onions should I prepare?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of sliced onions.
What types of bell peppers are used in the relish?
The relish uses 3 chopped red bell peppers and 3 chopped green bell peppers.
Why do the vegetables need to stand overnight with salt?
Sprinkling the vegetables with salt and letting them stand overnight allows the salt to draw out excess moisture.
How much salt is used in the initial preparation?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of coarse or table salt.
What should I do with the liquid after the vegetables sit overnight?
You should drain off the excess liquid before transferring the vegetables to a kettle.
What kind of vinegar is recommended?
You can use 2 1/4 cups of either distilled or apple cider vinegar.
How much sugar is added to the relish?
The recipe includes 3 cups of granulated sugar.
What spices are used to flavor the Zesty Garden Zucchini Relish?
The flavor is enhanced with nutmeg, turmeric, celery seeds, and a gourmet peppercorn blend.
How much nutmeg is included?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of ground nutmeg.
What is the purpose of turmeric in this recipe?
Turmeric provides color and a unique earthy flavor; 2 teaspoons are required.
How many celery seeds are needed?
The recipe calls for 5 teaspoons of celery seeds.
What type of pepper is used?
2 teaspoons of a ground gourmet peppercorn blend are used.
How long should the relish mixture simmer?
The mixture should simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes.
How do I prepare the canning jars?
Sterilize the jars in boiling water or run them through a dishwasher before filling.
How much headspace should be left in the jars?
Leave a 1/2 inch headspace at the top of each jar.
How long is the water bath processing time?
Process the sealed jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Has this recipe ever won any awards?
Yes, this recipe won a First Place award at the county fair.
What foods does this relish pair well with?
It is an excellent accompaniment for sandwiches, burgers, and grilled meats.
Is this zucchini relish recipe vegetarian?
Yes, it is suitable for a vegetarian diet.
Can this relish be used as a substitute for pickles?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a great pickle substitute.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
What is the time category for this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as taking less than 4 hours of active/processing time.
How should the jars be cooled after processing?
Allow the jars to cool completely on a clean cloth or wire rack before storing.
What happens if I don't stir the mixture while simmering?
You should stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the kettle.
What is the total count of ingredients used?
There are 11 ingredients in total for this recipe.
How should the zucchini be prepared?
The zucchini should be grated before combining with other vegetables.
What type of salt is best for this recipe?
Either coarse salt or standard table salt may be used.
Can I use this recipe to preserve garden vegetables?
Yes, it is designed specifically for preserving the tastes of a home garden.