Sweet Pickle Relish: A Canner's Delight
Sweet pickle relish is a classic condiment that adds a burst of tangy sweetness to hot dogs, burgers, and sandwiches. It's also a wonderful addition to deviled eggs, salads, and dips. Making your own sweet pickle relish is easy and rewarding, and the process of canning it allows you to enjoy the flavors of summer all year long.
Why Make Your Own?
There are many reasons to consider making your own sweet pickle relish:
- Control over ingredients: You can customize the sweetness, spice, and texture to your liking.
- Freshness: Homemade relish is packed with vibrant flavor from fresh ingredients.
- Cost-effective: You can save money by making your own.
- Fun and rewarding: Canning is a satisfying skill to learn, and it's a great way to preserve the bounty of the garden.
Sweet Pickle Relish Recipe
This recipe yields about 4 pints of sweet pickle relish.
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds pickling cucumbers (about 12)
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (optional, for color)
Equipment:
- Large pot for boiling water
- Canning jars (4 pint jars)
- Canning lids and rings
- Jar lifter
- Large bowl for ice water
- Food mill or blender (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the cucumbers:
- Wash and trim the cucumbers, removing any blemishes.
- Slice or chop the cucumbers into small pieces.
- If you prefer a smoother relish, you can run the chopped cucumbers through a food mill or blender.
2. Prepare the brine:
- In a large pot, combine the vinegar, sugar, onion, red bell pepper, salt, celery seed, peppercorns, and turmeric (if using).
- Bring the brine to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Pack the jars:
- Pack the chopped cucumbers into the hot sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch headspace.
- Carefully pour the hot brine over the cucumbers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
- Use a clean spoon or chopstick to remove air bubbles.
- Wipe the jar rims with a clean, damp cloth.
- Place the lids and rings on the jars.
4. Process the jars:
- Place the jars in a boiling water canner, ensuring the water covers the jars by at least 1 inch.
- Bring the water back to a boil and process the jars for 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove the jars from the canner using a jar lifter and set them on a clean towel.
- Allow the jars to cool completely.
5. Store and Enjoy:
- Check the lids for a seal. The lids should be concave in the center, indicating a vacuum seal has formed.
- Label and store the jars in a cool, dark place.
- Enjoy your homemade sweet pickle relish!
Variations:
- Spicy relish: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the brine.
- Dill relish: Add 1 tablespoon of dill seeds to the brine.
- Sweet and sour relish: Increase the sugar to 1 1/2 cups.
- Mustard relish: Add 1 tablespoon of mustard seed to the brine.
Tips:
- Use high-quality pickling cucumbers for the best flavor.
- Choose canning jars with a wide mouth for easier packing.
- Always follow the instructions for safe canning to prevent spoilage.
- Refrigerate the relish after opening.
Sweet pickle relish is a delightful homemade condiment that adds a touch of flavor to any meal. With this easy recipe and a few creative variations, you can enjoy the taste of summer all year round.
