Judys Pickled Squash Food

SQUASH PICKLES WITH ZUCCHINI OR YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients and canning equipment.
• Place zucchini or summer squash and onions in a large nonreactive pot ; add the pickling salt and enough water to cover. Let stand for 2 hours.
• Pour the mixture into a colander; rinse well with cold water and drain thoroughly.
• Return the rinsed squash to the nonreactive pot.
• Pour the vinegar into a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a boil and stir in 1 cup of the sugar, celery seed, turmeric, and mustard seed.
• Pour the hot vinegar over the squash and onions. Taste and add up to 1 cup additional sugar depending upon your preference. Let stand for 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, prepare the jars and lids . Wash the jars and lids in hot, soapy water. Fill a large canner with water.
• Place a rack in the pan and add the jars. Bring to a simmer. Turn the heat down to low to keep the jars hot.
• Put the lids in a separate saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a bare simmer; do not boil. Keep them hot in the barely simmering water until it's time to seal the jars.
• Bring the squash and vinegar mixture back to a boil, cook for 5 minutes then remove from the heat.
• Pack the boiled squash pickles into the hot sterilized jars leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe the edges of the jar with a clean, damp paper towel and seal with the lid and screw-on bands. Do not overtighten.
• Process pint or quart jars in the boiling water bath for 10 minutes from 1 to 1,000 feet, 15 minutes from 1,001 to 6,000 feet, or 20 minutes above 6,000 feet in altitude. Keep the water at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars, adding extra boiling water to cover, if necessary. Serve and enjoy.

JUDY'S PICKLED SQUASH

Steps:

• Place the squash, onion, and bell peppers in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let drain, covered, for about 1 hour at room temperature. Do not rinse.
• If preserving the pickles, sterilize four 1-pint heat-tempered canning jars (see Know-how, page 291).
• Tightly pack the squash, onion, and peppers, alternating layers of vegetables, in the hot jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace to ensure a proper seal.
• Combine the sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, and celery seeds in a large pot over high heat and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves, for about 1 minute. Pour the hot liquid over the vegetables, maintaining the 1/2-inch headspace.
• For refrigerator pickles, seal the jars tightly and refrigerate for 2 weeks to allow the flavors to develop before serving. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve, or for up to 1 month.
• For preserved pickles, process in a hot water bath for about 15 minutes to vacuum-seal (see Know-how, page 291). Let cool to room temperature, check the seal, and store in a cool, dark place until ready to serve, or for up to 6 months. Refrigerate after opening.

SO-SWEET SQUASH PICKLES

Steps:

• Place squash, pepper and onion in a colander over a plate; sprinkle with salt and toss. Let stand 1 hour to drain., In a large saucepan, combine remaining ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add vegetables; return to a boil. Remove from heat; cool completely., Transfer to a covered container; refrigerate, covered, at least 4 days before serving. May be stored in refrigerator up to 3 weeks.

PICKLED SQUASH

Steps:

• In a large pot or bowl, layer sliced squash and onions, and sprinkle eash layer generously with kosher salt.
• Let sit 1 hour.
• Drain.
• In large pot combine vinegar, sugar, pickling spice, and crushed red pepper and bring to a boil.
• Add squash and onions and return to boil.
• Ladle vegetables and enough of the liquid to cover them within 1/2 inch into sterilized jars.
• Wipe rims and jars clean, and put lids and rings on jars.
• Process jars in hot water bath for 10 minutes.
• Remove jars from water bath and allow to cool.
• Any jars that do not seal should be refrigerated and used withing 2 weeks.

JUDY'S ZUCCHINI PICKLES

Steps:

• Combine zucchini and onion in a large shallow bowl. Add salt; toss to combine. Add a few ice cubes and enough cold water to cover, stirring until salt dissolves. Let stand, at room temperature, until zucchini are slightly salty and softened, about 1 hour.
• Drain, removing any remaining ice cubes. Dry thoroughly between two towels, or spin, a few handfuls at a time, in a salad spinner (excess water will thin the flavor and spoil the pickle). Rinse and dry the bowl. Return the zucchini and onion to the dry bowl.
• In a saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar, dry mustard, mustard seeds, and turmeric, over medium heat; simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand until just warm to the touch.
• Pour the cooled brine over the zucchin-and-onion mixture, stirring to combine. Transfer to sterilized jars. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days before serving. Will keep for about 3 months, refrigerated, in an airtight container.

PICKLED SQUASH

Steps:

• In a large non-aluminum pot, combine the squash, bell pepper, and onions. Cover with salt, and let stand for 2 hours to release the liquids. Stir occasionally.
• Just before the 2 hours are up, combine the sugar, vinegar, mustard seed, turmeric and celery seed in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Drain the salty liquid from the vegetables. Pour the spice brine over the vegetables, and let stand for 2 more hours.
• Bring to a boil once again, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Ladle into 1 pint sterile jars, filling with the liquid to within 1/4 inch of the top. Wipe rims with a clean towel, and run a thin spatula around the inside of the jar to remove air bubbles. Seal with lids and rings. Process for 10 minutes in a simmering water bath to seal completely.