Karens Zucchini Relish Food

SWEET 'N TANGY ZUCCHINI RELISH

Steps:

• Using a food processor to chop the vegetables makes quick work of them. You can cut them by hand, but it is very laborious - you need to make sure to chop them very finely. To process them in the food processor, cut the zucchini into chunks, then process it in batches by pulsing the processor so you don't chop them to mush - just into fine, even pieces. Do the same with the onions and peppers.
• Combine the chopped vegetables with the salt in a large bowl. Let stand for 2 hours, stirring often so the salt is well dispersed. This draws excess moisture from the veggies. Drain the vegetables in a sieve, then rinse them. To do this: dump them back into the bowl and cover them with cold water. Stir them with your hands or a spoon, then pour them into the sieve again to drain a second time. This will remove most of the salt. Squeeze out the extra moisture by pressing down on the vegetables in the sieve. You should have about 5½ cups of vegetables left.
• In a large stock pot, combine the sugar, vinegar, dry mustard, turmeric, celery seed, and pepper. Bring to a boil, and add the drained vegetables. Simmer the relish, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
• Stir together the cornstarch and water, and pour it into the relish, stirring to disperse it. Cook for 5 more minutes.
• Pack the zucchini relish into hot, sterilized jars, wipe the rims with a hot, wet cloth, and seal with hot, sterilized snap lids and rings. If the zucchini relish looks like it's getting a bit dry as the pot gets emptier while filling the jars, add a few tablespoons of water to get it to the consistency you like.
• Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes (instructions in this zucchini salsa post).
• Makes 7 half-pints (8oz/250ml jars).

SWEET AND SPICY ZUCCHINI RELISH RECIPE

Steps:

• Place sliced zucchini in a food processor and pulse several times until they become small pieces. Pour zucchini into a large colander in the sink to drain.
• Cut onions and peppers into slices. Place them into the food processor, in batches if needed, and pulse until they become the same size as the zucchini. Place onions and peppers into the colander with the zucchini.
• Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the vegetables and stir well to coat. Let the vegetables drain for at least 30 minutes.
• With about 10 minutes left of draining, in a large stockpot, mix together the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
• Rinse the vegetables to remove some of the salt and then add them to the pot and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes.
• Remove pot from heat, and let cool to room temperature.
• When liquid is cool, using a slotted spoon pour relish into an air tight container or sterilized mason jars. Add some of the liquid to barely cover the top of the relish.
• Refrigerate for at least 24 hours before eating.

SWEET ZUCCHINI RELISH

Steps:

• Place the zucchini and onion in a large, non-metallic bowl, and sprinkle the salt overtop. Use your hands to evenly mix the salt throughout the zucchini. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
• The following day, drain the zucchini in a colander, and rinse well with cool water. Squeeze out excess water and set aside. Place the red and green bell pepper, sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch into a large pot. Add the nutmeg, turmeric, celery seed and pepper. Stir to combine, then add the drained zucchini. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sterilize 7 one-pint jars and lids to hold relish. Pack relish into sterilized jars, making sure there are no spaces or air pockets. Fill jars all the way to top. Screw on lids.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with boiling water. Carefully lower jars into pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary, until tops of jars are covered by 2 inches of water. Bring water to a full boil, then cover and process for 30 minutes.
• Remove jars from pot and place on cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press top of each lid with finger, ensuring that seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all).

EASY ZUCCHINI RELISH

Steps:

• Toss zucchini and onion with salt in a large bowl. Refrigerate overnight to drain. Rinse vegetables with cold water and drain well.
• Mix dry mustard, celery seed, nutmeg, and black pepper in a bowl.
• Heat vinegar, sugar, spice mix, zucchini mixture, and red bell pepper in a large pot over medium heat. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the vegetables 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 over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 25 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).

SWEET ZUCCHINI RELISH

Steps:

• In a large container, combine the zucchini, onions, peppers and salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Drain; rinse and drain again., In a stockpot, combine the sugar, vinegar, cornstarch and seasonings; bring to a boil. Add zucchini mixture; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, 12-15 minutes. Remove from the heat., Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles; wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner. Refrigerate remaining relish for up to 1 week.

GRANDMA'S ZUCCHINI RELISH

Steps:

• Combine the vegetables with the salt in a large non-reactive bowl.
• Leave to sit overnight.
• Day 2: Rinse vegetables in cold water and drain well.
• Mix the sauce ingredients in a large pot and cook until mixture starts to thicken.
• Add the vegetables now.
• Cook for 30 minutes boiling slowly.
• Pack in hot, sterilized jar and seal.