Zesty Zucchini Delight Relish
This Zesty Zucchini Delight Relish is a vibrant and flavorful condiment that elevates any dish. Whether slathered on burgers, drizzled over hot dogs, or served alongside grilled meats and roasted vegetables, this relish brings a refreshing burst of taste to your table. Made from fresh zucchini, crisp sweet peppers, and zesty onions, this relish is balanced by the tanginess of cider vinegar and the sweetness of sugar, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. With its delightful crunch and beautiful color, this relish not only enhances your meals but also makes for a charming homemade gift during harvest season. You may find yourself doubling or tripling this recipe to share with friends and family, as it's an instant crowd-pleaser! Prep time is approximate and does not account for the overnight marinating process to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. For quicker prep, utilize a food processor to grate your veggies with ease.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Zucchini
12 cups (Chopped fine or grated)
Onions
4 cups (Grated)
Sweet Red Peppers
2 cups (Grated)
Salt
5 tablespoons (Sea salt or kosher salt)
Cider Vinegar
2 1/2 cups (Unfiltered preferred)
Sugar
4 cups (Granulated)
Dry Mustard
1 tablespoon (Prepared mustard optional)
Nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Cornstarch
3/4 tablespoon (For thickening)
Turmeric
3/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Celery Seeds
1 1/4 teaspoons (Whole)
Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Freshly ground)
Instructions
1
In a large non-reactive bowl, combine the chopped zucchini, grated onions, grated sweet red peppers, and salt. Mix well to ensure all vegetables are coated with salt.
2
Cover the bowl and let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to release excess moisture.
3
On Day 2, rinse the salted vegetables thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt. Drain well and set aside.
4
In a large pot, combine the cider vinegar, sugar, dry mustard, nutmeg, cornstarch, turmeric, celery seeds, and black pepper. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to thicken, about 5-10 minutes.
6
Add the drained vegetables to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and allowing the relish to simmer gently.
7
Prepare canning jars by sterilizing them in boiling water. Once the relish is cooked, pack it into hot, sterilized jars, leaving about half an inch of headspace at the top.
8
Seal the jars with lids while the relish is still hot, and process them in a hot water bath for 10-15 minutes to ensure they are preserved properly.
9
Let the jars cool completely before labeling and storing in a cool, dark place.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Zucchini Delight Relish?
It is a vibrant and flavorful condiment made from fresh zucchini, sweet peppers, and onions, balanced with cider vinegar and sugar.
How much zucchini is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 12 cups of zucchini, which should be chopped fine or grated.
Can I use a food processor to prepare the vegetables?
Yes, utilizing a food processor is recommended for quicker prep to grate your vegetables with ease.
Why do the vegetables need to sit in the refrigerator overnight?
Sitting overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully and helps the vegetables release excess moisture.
What type of vinegar should I use?
The recipe specifies 2 1/2 cups of cider vinegar, with unfiltered being the preferred variety.
How much sugar is in the Zesty Zucchini Delight Relish?
This recipe uses 4 cups of granulated sugar to create a perfect harmony of flavors.
What is the purpose of salt in the first step?
The salt is used to coat the vegetables, helping them release moisture during the overnight resting period.
Do I need to rinse the vegetables after they sit overnight?
Yes, on Day 2, you must rinse the salted vegetables thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt and then drain them well.
How is the relish thickened?
The relish is thickened using 3/4 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed into the brine.
What spices are included in this relish?
The spice blend includes dry mustard, nutmeg, turmeric, celery seeds, and black pepper.
Can I use prepared mustard instead of dry mustard?
Yes, the recipe notes that prepared mustard is an optional substitute for dry mustard.
How long should the brine mixture boil before adding vegetables?
The brine should be brought to a boil and then simmered for about 5-10 minutes until it starts to thicken.
How long do the vegetables cook in the brine?
Once added to the pot, the vegetables should simmer gently in the mixture for an additional 30 minutes.
How much headspace should be left in the canning jars?
You should leave about half an inch of headspace at the top of the hot, sterilized jars.
What is the recommended processing time for the water bath?
The sealed jars should be processed in a hot water bath for 10-15 minutes to ensure proper preservation.
Where should the finished relish be stored?
After the jars cool completely, they should be labeled and stored in a cool, dark place.
What can I serve this zucchini relish with?
It is excellent on burgers and hot dogs, or served alongside grilled meats and roasted vegetables.
Is this recipe good for gifting?
Yes, its beautiful color and delightful crunch make it a charming homemade gift during the harvest season.
Can I scale this recipe up?
Absolutely, many find themselves doubling or tripling the recipe to share with friends and family.
What type of peppers are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of grated sweet red peppers.
What type of onions should I use?
The recipe requires 4 cups of grated onions for a zesty flavor profile.
What kind of salt is best for the overnight soak?
Sea salt or kosher salt is recommended for this recipe.
Does the recipe use ground or whole celery seeds?
The recipe uses 1 1/4 teaspoons of whole celery seeds.
Is the turmeric ground or fresh?
The recipe uses 3/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric.
What is the preparation method for the onions?
The onions should be grated before being added to the vegetable mix.
Does the prep time include the overnight wait?
No, the approximate prep time does not account for the overnight marinating process.
Should the jars be hot when packing the relish?
Yes, the relish should be packed into hot, sterilized jars while it is still hot.
What gives the relish its yellow color?
The inclusion of ground turmeric provides the relish with its beautiful, vibrant color.
Is the black pepper fresh or pre-ground?
Freshly ground black pepper is recommended for the best flavor.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 12 ingredients used to make this zucchini relish.