Pickled Zucchini Food

QUICK-PICKLED ZUCCHINI SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.
• Place a saucepot over direct heat. Add the vinegar, 1 cup water, sugar, salt, garlic and dill and bring to a boil while whisking to dissolve the sugar.
• Add the zucchini to a large bowl and pour the pickling liquid over. Let stand until the zucchini are pickled but still firm, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the zucchini from the pickling liquid and drain slightly in a colander set over a large bowl. Discard the garlic and dill.
• To assemble the salad: Place the pickled zucchini onto a platter. Distribute the mozzarella and tomatoes evenly over top. Zest the lemon over top and squeeze the lemon juice all over. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and serve at room temperature.
• (Alternatively, you can boil the pickling liquid over medium-high heat on a stovetop.)

QUICK-PICKLED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the vinegar, salt, mustard seeds, chile flakes and 3 cups water to a simmer. Cook until the salt has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Divide the dill, garlic, zucchini and onions evenly between 2 quart-size mason jars.
• Pour the hot liquid into the mason jars to cover the ingredients and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Serve immediately or cover with lids and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

ZUCCHINI PICKLES

Steps:

• Place zucchini and onions into a large bowl, cover with water, and stir in salt until dissolved. Let the vegetables soak in the salted water for at least 2 hours; drain and transfer to a large heatproof bowl.
• Bring sugar, vinegar, celery seed, turmeric, mustard, and mustard seeds to a boil in a saucepan; pour the mixture over the zucchini and onions. Let the mixture stand for at least 2 more hours. Return zucchini, onions, and pickling liquid with spices to a large pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes.
• While vegetables are soaking in pickling liquid, sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the zucchini and onion into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top with pickling liquid. 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 10 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, and wait at least 24 hours before opening.

SWEET ZUCCHINI PICKLES

Steps:

• Mix squash, onion, and sweet pepper in a big bowl.
• Mix with salt. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Drain.
• Combine sugar, vinegar, mustard seed, celery seed, and ground mustard. Boil.
• Add squash mixture. Return to boiling; remove from heat.
• Spoon mixture into 2 clean pint jars. I just use tupperware.
• Cool 30 minutes.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours before serving.
• Store in refrigerator up to 1 month or freeze forever :).

CRISP ZUCCHINI PICKLES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl or crock, combine all the vegetables, including the garlic.
• Sprinkle them with the salt; stir and let the vegetables stand three hours.
• Drain well.
• Combine the sugar, vinegar, water and spices in a large preserving kettle and heat to boiling.
• Stir in the vegetables and heat again to boiling.
• Pack the vegetables into clean, hot pint jars to within 1/2-inch of each jar's top.
• Pour in the hot liquid to within 1/2-inch of each top.
• Wipe off the tops and threads of the jars with a damp cloth.
• Put on prepared lids and seal as the manufacturer directs.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

ZUCCHINI PICKLES

Steps:

• Combine zucchini and onions in a large bowl; sprinkle with canning salt and cover with cold water. Let stand 2 hours; rinse and drain., In a large saucepan, bring remaining ingredients to a boil. Pour over zucchini and onions; cover and let stand 2 hours., Transfer to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Carefully ladle hot mixture into 4 hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars in canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 15 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

GRANDMA'S PICKLED FRESH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.
• Scrub and trim the zucchini tops; cut crosswise into 1/4" - thick slices.
• In a mixing bowl, toss the zucchini with the olive oil; season with the onion powder, salt and pepper.
• Lay the zucchini slices on 2 large rimmed baking sheets without overlapping. Roast until zucchini are tender and undersides are a golden brown (about 10 - 12 minutes). Drain on a plate lined with paper towels; let cool.
• Transfer cooled zucchini to a mixing bowl; add the lemon juice, basil, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes (optional). Give a gentle toss, and set aside.
• In a small saucepan, bring the vinegar to a boil. Boil until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 2-3 minutes). Let cool a-bit.
• Pour the reduced-vinegar over the zucchini; gently fold until well coated.
• Lay several slices of the zucchini in the bottom of a Mason jar. Fill the center with more slices so that the layer is even. Continue layering until the jar is full. (The garlic slivers can be placed randomly in the layers of zucchini, or completely omitted.).
• Press down on the zucchini to compress it. Pour the remaining reduced- vinegar over the slices so it covers the top layer.
• Chill for a minimum of 4 hours (longer is better). Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• COOK'S TIP: Try preparing eggplant and carrots in this same manner, DELICIOUS!
• COOK'S NOTE: Actual Preparation Time is 10 minutes plus chilling.