Make Ahead

Sweet Pickle Relish

by:
August 30, 2009
14 Reviews
Sweet Pickle Relish
Author Notes

I've been making this relish most of my life. My great-grandmother Agatha made it every summer and wrangled my help with the prep work from the time I was a small child. In those days, everything was grated on a box grater. It's much easier these days with the Cuisinart. I use this relish as a base for tartar sauce, just add mayo or plain yogurt and a squeeze of lemon juice. It's also spectacular on hot dogs and all other sausages. I've also fiddled with the spices - alternately using allspice and juniper and fennel seed in lieu of the mustard seed. Also, replacing some of the sweet pepper with hot pepper provides a completely different and wonderful relish. Source great heritage peppers (Cubano, Jimmy Nardello, Banana) and your relish will be extraordinary. —MrsWheelbarrow

  • Makes 8 - half pints
Ingredients
  • 4 cups finely chopped cucumber, peeled and seeded
  • 4 cups finely chopped sweet peppers, seeded and deveined
  • 2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
  • 4 tablespoons kosher or canning salt
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1.5 cups brown sugar
  • 2 cups cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon celery seed
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seed
  • 8 half-pint jars, lids and rings
In This Recipe
Tools
Set a Timer
Directions
  1. Cover finely chopped vegetables with cold iced water and salt and set aside for two hours.
  2. Drain vegetables. Rinse well and then drain very well. I usually press with a large spoon or spatula to get as much water out as possible.
  3. In the meantime, in a large (5 qt) non-reactive pot, bring the sugar, vinegar and spices to a rolling boil.
  4. Add vegetables and bring back to a rolling boil for 10 minutes.
  5. Fill hot jars with hot relish and seal with lid and rings, following all the usual USDA recommendations for processing. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
  6. Remove the jars from the processor and listen for the satisfying pings.
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Review
MrsWheelbarrow
My new book, PIE SQUARED. Irresistibly Easy Sweet & Savory Slab Pies is available for preorder and on shelves October, 2018.

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