Sweet Green Relish Food

SWEET GREEN RELISH

Steps:

• Wash and scrub the cucumbers under cold running water, trim off both ends, leave skin on. Chop into large chunks, then finely chop in a food processor (use pulse) or put through a food mill. Put in a large pot or very large bowl. Sprinkle with the salt OR salt sub, mix the vegetables and salt with your hands. Top with enough cold water to cover completely. (The exact quantity of water doesn't matter.) Let stand for 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, you can prep the onion and set aside.
• Drain the cucumber, rinse and drain again.
• In large pot, mix together everything from the vinegar down to and including the mustard seed, then stir in the onion and then the cucumber.
• Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Pack hot into quarter-litre (1/2 US pint) jars or half-litre (US pint) jars.
• Leave 2 cm (1/2 inch) headspace for either size jar.
• Debubble, adjust headspace.
• Wipe jar rims.
• Put lids on.
• Process in a water bath or steam canner.
• Process either size jar for 15 minutes; increase time as needed for your altitude.
• Best after at least a month of jar time.

GREEN TOMATO SWEET RELISH

Steps:

• Mix tomatoes, onion, pepper and salt, let stand 1 hour.
• Drain well and add remaining ingredients (tie spices in cheesecloth).
• Bring to a boil and simmer 20 minutes.
• Pour into sterilized jars and seal.
• Process in boiling water bath 20 minutes.

SWEET PICKLE RELISH

Steps:

• Combine cucumbers, onions, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper in a large bowl; add salt and pour in enough cold water to cover. Allow to soak for 2 hours. Thoroughly drain in a colander.
• Pour vinegar into a large, heavy stainless steel pot; add celery seed and mustard seed. Stir sugar into mixture and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the drained vegetable mixture and return to a boil, about 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack relish into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or 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. 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.

GREEN TOMATO RELISH

Steps:

• In a grinder or food processor, coarsely grind tomatoes, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, and onions. (You may need to do this in batches.) Line a large colander with cheesecloth, place in sink or in a large bowl, and pour in tomato mixture to drain for 1 hour.
• In a large, non-aluminum stockpot, combine tomato mixture, celery seed, mustard seed, salt, sugar, and vinegar. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Sterilize enough jars and lids to hold relish (12 one-pint jars, or 6 one-quart jars). 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). Relish can be stored for up to a year.

SWEET PICKLE RELISH

Steps:

• To deseed cucumbers, I cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with my finger.
• I chop the unpeeled cucumbers as well as the other vegetables with a Pampered Chef chopper.
• Put all the vegetables in a large bowl.
• Sprinkle the salt over the chopped vegetables.
• Cover with cold water and let stand for 2 hours.
• Drain vegetables well, then press out as much liquid as possible.
• In a large pot, combine sugar, vinegar and seeds.
• Bring to a boil.
• Add vegetables.
• Bring back to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, put into pint jars according to standard canning procedures.
• (Note: Although some of the brine needs to go in the jars, I use a slotted spoon to keep it from being too soupy.).
• Process in a hot water bath according to your altitude (10 minutes for up 50 1000 ft.).