Sweet Pickle Relish
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A Flavorful Addition
Sweet pickle relish, with its delightful blend of tangy sweetness and crisp texture, is a versatile condiment that has earned its place in kitchens worldwide. Whether you’re topping off a classic hot dog, adding zest to sandwiches, or exploring creative recipe ideas, this delicious relish is sure to elevate your culinary adventures to new heights.
A Timeless Condiment
Sweet pickle relish has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century, and it has remained a beloved condiment ever since. Made from finely chopped cucumbers, onions, and bell peppers, the relish undergoes a pickling process that infuses it with a distinct blend of flavors. Its sweet and tangy taste offers a perfect balance that complements a wide range of dishes, making it a staple condiment for barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings.
Versatility
One of the greatest appeals of sweet pickle relish is its versatility in the kitchen. Beyond its traditional pairing with hot dogs and burgers, this condiment lends its unique flavor to various recipes. Use it to enhance the taste of tuna and chicken salads, mix it into deviled eggs for an exciting twist, or add it to tartar sauce for an extra zing. The relish’s vibrant color and sweet notes can even make it an excellent addition to pasta salads, vegetable wraps, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Homemade Delight
While store-bought sweet pickle relish is readily available, there’s something special about crafting your own homemade version. Making relish from scratch allows you to control the level of sweetness, the texture, and the blend of spices to suit your taste preferences. It’s a simple and rewarding process, and the freshness and authenticity of your homemade relish will undoubtedly impress your family and guests.
Additionally, sweet pickle relish is an excellent way to preserve the abundance of fresh cucumbers, onions, and peppers during the summer harvest. By pickling and canning the relish, you can enjoy its delightful flavors long after the growing season has ended.
Sweet pickle relish is a timeless condiment that adds a burst of flavor and charm to an array of dishes. Whether you enjoy it on a classic hot dog or incorporate it into your culinary creations, this sweet and tangy relish is sure to become a staple in your kitchen, delighting taste buds for generations to come. So why not give it a try and elevate your next meal with the magic of sweet pickle relish?
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Sweet Pickle Relish
The key to achieving the perfect sweet pickle relish lies in striking the right balance between sweetness and tanginess. The use of granulated sugar combines with the acidity of white vinegar, forming a harmonious blend that complements the natural sweetness of the cucumbers. This balance ensures that each spoonful delivers a tantalizing blend of flavors, leaving your taste buds craving for more.
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 pints 1x
Ingredients
- 8 cups finely chopped pickling cucumbers (about 16-20 cucumbers)
- 2 cups finely chopped onion
- 2 cups finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup pickling salt (or kosher salt)
- 4 cups white vinegar
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Wash the pickling cucumbers, remove the ends, and finely chop them. Finely chop the onion and bell peppers as well. You can use a food processor for this step if you prefer a smoother consistency.
- Combine the vegetables: Place the chopped cucumbers, onion, and bell peppers in a large bowl.
- Add salt: Sprinkle the pickling salt (or kosher salt) over the chopped vegetables. Toss everything together to coat the vegetables evenly with salt. Let it sit for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Drain and rinse: After 2 hours, drain the vegetables in a colander and rinse them thoroughly with cold water to remove the excess salt. Allow them to drain well.
- Prepare the pickling liquid: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the white vinegar, granulated sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and ground turmeric. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Combine vegetables and pickling liquid: Add the drained vegetables to the pickling liquid in the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables become tender.
- Jar the relish: While the relish is still hot, transfer it to sterilized glass jars. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
- Seal the jars: Place the lids on the jars and screw them on hand tight.
- Place jars in water bath canner in boiling water. Wait until water boils again and process for 10 minutes.
- Remove jars and let the jars cool at room temperature.
- Store the relish: Once cooled, check lids are sealed and store the sweet pickle relish and enjoy.
Notes
This recipe makes 8 pints for a total of 128 servings at 1 ounce each. Nutrition facts below is based on 1 serving of 1 ounce.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Condiments
- Method: Canning
- Cuisine: American
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Leave your comments below. We would love to hear from you.
Until next time,
Kari
Very good Sweet Relish! I only got 7 pints, but I’ll definitely make it again!
Thank you!
Yay!! I am so glad you like the sweet relish. I love it and use it on everything!
Delicious relish. I will make it again!
It is delicious. I am so glad you liked it and will make it again. Awesome!
I made a double batch and only got 11&1/2 pints
I made this and it looks beautiful the only thing is it didn’t come out with any green color to it. Could this be that I peeled all the skin off the cucumbers? It’s almost yellow tint.