Fermented Cucumber Relish Food

FERMENTED CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• Mix the diced vegetables, salt, and spices in a jar for fermenting.
• Pour the water and starter over the vegetables. You should have enough liquid to cover the vegetables, if not top up with a little more water.
• Use a weight to keep vegetables submerged below the brine. Ferment in a dark location for 2 days. After 2 days the relish will be slightly soft, if you want a really soft relish continue fermenting for up to 1 week.
• After fermenting, drain all the brine. This is important because it will also reduce the saltiness of the relish to something more palatable. Sweeten to taste and store in the fridge.

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.

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 RELISH

Steps:

• Cut prepared cucumbers in quarters lengthwise, then cut into 1/4 inch crosswise slices.
• Combine vinegar, sugar, ginger and salt and pepper to taste in medium glass bowl, blend well.
• Add cucumber slices, blend gently until slices are well coated.
• Cover, let stand 15 to 30 minutes for flavors to blend.

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.

CELERY RELISH

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients well in a large pot.
• Bring to the boiling point, reduce the heat, and simmer until thick, about 1 hour.
• Spoon into hot, sterilized jars, fill with the cooking liquid, leaving 1/8" headspace, and seal.
• If you wish, process in a boiling water bath 10 minutes.

CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH SESAME OIL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
• On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
• Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
• When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.