Fennel Cucumber Relish Food

GRILLED BRINED SALMON AND EGGPLANT WITH FENNEL CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• Bring water, brown sugar, salt, and 6 tablespoons granulated sugar to a boil in a 5-quart pot, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Transfer 6 cups brine to a 13- by 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish, then stir in dill and cool. Transfer remaining 4 cups brine to a large bowl and add remaining 4 tablespoons granulated sugar, stirring until dissolved, then cool completely.
• Marinate salmon, skin sides up, in brine in baking dish, chilled, 1 hour. (Do not turn salmon.) Put eggplant in brine in bowl, then invert a small plate over eggplant and weight it with soup can (to keep eggplant immersed). Marinate eggplant at room temperature 30 minutes. (Do not brine salmon or eggplant longer than indicated or they will be too salty.)
• Prepare charcoal or gas grill for cooking.
• Remove salmon from brine and pat dry, discarding brine. Remove eggplant from brine, then rinse and pat dry, discarding brine. Toss eggplant with oil and pepper to taste in a bowl.
• When fire is moderate (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds), grill eggplant on lightly oiled grill rack, turning once, until golden, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a platter with tongs and keep warm, covered.
• When fire is moderately low (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 5 to 6 seconds), grill salmon, starting with skin sides up and turning once, until just cooked through and skin is crisp, about 8 minutes total.
• Serve salmon over eggplant.

CUCUMBER FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, onion and fennel. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the remaining ingredients; shake well. Pour over cucumber mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate until chilled.

CUCUMBER AND ONION RELISH

Steps:

• Combine cucumbers, onions, and salt together in a colander fitted over a bowl; place in the refrigerator for cucumbers and onions to drain, 8 hours to overnight.
• Mix vinegar, sugar, water, flour, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thickened, about 5 minutes. Add cucumbers and onions; boil for about 10 more minutes.
• Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the relish into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for about 15 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

FENNEL CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• Stir together all ingredients in a bowl and let stand 15 minutes.

CARROT CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• Coarsely grind to the following amounts of each cucumbers (3 1/2 cups), carrots (1 1/2 cups) and onions (1 cup).
• Combine them and add salt.
• Let stand 3 hours; drain.
• Combine sugar, vinegar celery seed and mustard seed.
• Bring to a boil.
• Add vegetables to the above.
• Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
• Seal at once in hot sterilized jars.
• Makes 2 1/2 pints.
• Chill before serving.

FENNEL AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Toss fennel, radishes, and cucumber.
• Whisk oil and lemon together.
• Add mint, salt and pepper and whisk again.
• Pour dressing over vegetables and toss.
• Serve well chilled.

HOMEMADE CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• Combine cucumbers, celery, onion and peppers in a large bowl; add salt and water.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight. Drain; rinse and drain again.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a large kettle; bring to a boil.
• Add vegetables; simmer for 10 minutes.
• Ladle hot mixture into hot jars, leaving 1/4" headspace. Adjust caps.
• Process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.

CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• Use coarse blade on grinder, (I used food processor) combine all vegetables in large bowl.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• Cover with cold water, let stand 4 hours.
• Drain thoroughly in colander, press out all excess liquid.
• Combine sugar, vinegar, celery seed,& mustard seed.
• Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Stir in drained vegetables, simmer 10 minutes.
• Pack into jars to within 1/2 inch of the top.
• Put on cap, screw band firmly tight.
• Process in boiling water bath 10 minutes.
• Yield 5-6 pints.

CUCUMBER-WATERCRESS RELISH

Steps:

• Stir mustard and fennel seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until mustard seeds begin to pop, about 2 minutes. Transfer to medium glass bowl. Whisk in vinegar, oil and sugar. Add cucumber and onion; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover; chill.) Mix watercress into relish and serve.

FENNEL AND OLIVE RELISH

Steps:

• Cut stalks from fennel bulbs, then chop enough fronds to measure 1/4 cup. Discard remaining fronds and stalks. Quarter bulbs, then finely chop in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl.
• Stir in remaining ingredients. Let stand 1 hour for flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature.