Friday, June 22, 2012

Sweet Pickle Relish


This is a recipe I found in the Ball Blue Book guide to preserving.  My copy looks like this:

It is full of wonderful recipes and you could get your own copy HERE.  Someday maybe I can try out and sample all the recipes I want!

1 quart chopped cucumbers (about 4 medium)
2 cups chopped onions (about 2 medium)
1 cup chopped sweet, green pepper (about 1 medium)
1 cup chopped sweet, red pepper (about 1 medium)
1/4 cup salt
3 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon celery seed
1 tablespoon mustard seed
2 cups cider vinegar

  • First, wash and sort your cucumbers.  I saved the larger of the two sizes I had to make Kosher Dill Pickles.  (That recipe will follow when I have finished that project up!)

  • Next, wash peppers and onions.

  • Chop cucumbers.  I used my Pampered Chef food chopper but next time I'll probably use a food processor because I will double the recipe and that is a LOT of hand chopping.

  •  Chop peppers and onions.

  • Combine chopped cucumbers, onions, and peppers in a large bowl.  Sprinkle with salt and cover with cold water.  Let stand 2 hours.

  • The mix will bubble and start to stink emit a strong smell become quite fragrant.
  • After 2 hours, drain.  Rinse and drain thoroughly.  (I put the chopped stuff into an old, thin, clean pillow case and squeezed all the liquid out to drain this thoroughly.)
Celery Seed
Mustard Seed
Just wanted to show off my pretty new measuring spoons I got for Mother's Day.
Thanks Corey, Bridgette, Lillie, and Lydia!
  • Combine sugar, spices, and vinegar in a large sauce pan.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Add drained vegetables and simmer 10 minutes.

  • Pack relish into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
  • Remove air bubbles by sliding a wooden or plastic spoon down the side of the jar.
  • Attach two-piece caps.
  • Process 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner.
The Ball Blue Book suggests that one allow pickled foods to sit in jars for a couple of weeks to fully ferment.  I'm not sure I can wait that long!

15 comments:

  1. How many pints does this yield.

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    1. The estimate from the book was about 8 half-pints and from my experience, they were spot-on - I got about the same as their estimate.

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  2. Ball claims "about8 half-pints.More likely considerably less, especially with less-meaty cucumbers. I usually get 7 half-pints from doubling the recipe.

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  3. We did 6 recipes and got 12 pints.. 1/2 their estimate.

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  4. This looks absolutely delicious! I love sweet pickle relish and I love the idea of making it at home even moreso! I really want to edge away from buying it from the grocery store and start making it by hand. I think it would be a great project to get my kids on board with. Thank you for your recipe!

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    Replies
    1. Glad to share! I'm getting geared up to make some soon.

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  5. Did you remove the seeds from the cucumbers?

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  6. I have made this in the past and did remove the seeds from the cucumbers before chopping them.

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  7. I have this book and i have made this recipe many times. Love it

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  8. I use an old fashioned food chopper makes perfect little squares. I find the food processor makes it mushy.

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  9. How much Ball mixed pickling spice per pint for sweet relish

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  10. Wondering...are cucumbers peeled? Does this differ from store bought relish?

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  11. I had forgotten I have that ball recipe canning book! I love this recipe and I substitute small zucchini instead of cucumbers. They grow a lot easier and philippic at my elevation. Also I use an electric meat grinder to speed the process up so I can triple my recipe.

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  12. I made this exactly as you have put it here in your blog and it was fabulous! I am making my second batch, this morning.
    I chopped it all by hand (whew) and have used my first batch all up already and the curing time of 2 weeks is not even reached yet! Great in my husbands tuna salad! Thank you for taking the time to share this with us all. I also bought this book (Ball Blue Book guide to preserving) after reading and making this recipe. Forever grateful!!!

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