Description
Homemade sweet & spicy pickle relish brings zesty flavor to summer barbecues and sandwiches. Crisp cucumber, onion, and jalapeño create a condiment that elevates classic dishes with balanced heat and tangy sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar
- 4 cups (500 g) cucumbers, finely diced
- 1 cup (150 g) red bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup (75 g) onion, finely diced
- 2 tbsps salt
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp celery seeds
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp red chili flakes (adjust for spice level)
Instructions
- Preparation: Uniformly dice cucumbers, red bell pepper, and onion into petite, consistent pieces to guarantee balanced texture and flavor profile.
- Salting: Combine chopped vegetables in a spacious bowl, thoroughly coat with salt, and let rest for 90-120 minutes to extract excess moisture through natural osmosis.
- Rinsing: Meticulously rinse salted vegetables under cold water, draining completely through a fine-mesh strainer to remove all residual salt.
- Liquid Creation: In a sturdy pot, merge sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, and red chili flakes over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves into a harmonious liquid.
- Simmering: Gently fold drained vegetables into the aromatic liquid, maintaining a low simmer for 12-15 minutes and stirring intermittently to prevent adherence and ensure even cooking.
- Jarring: Transfer steaming relish into sanitized glass containers, leaving a half-inch headspace to facilitate proper sealing and preservation.
- Processing: Submerge sealed jars in a vigorous boiling water bath for exactly 10 minutes to guarantee airtight preservation and eliminate potential contamination.
- Cooling & Storage: Allow jars to cool naturally at room temperature, creating a robust vacuum seal, and store in a dark, cool pantry for up to 12 months.
- Consumption: After opening, refrigerate relish and consume within four weeks to maintain peak flavor and quality.
Notes
- Precise Chopping Technique: Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent texture and flavor in every bite, using a sharp knife for clean, even cuts.
- Salt Extraction Method: Generously salt vegetables to draw out excess moisture, which prevents a watery relish and concentrates the flavor profile.
- Careful Simmering Strategy: Maintain a low, gentle simmer when cooking to prevent burning and allow ingredients to meld together smoothly without losing their vibrant colors.
- Sterilization Safety: Always use thoroughly cleaned and sterilized glass jars to prevent bacterial growth and extend the relish’s shelf life, ensuring food safety and preservation quality.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 2000 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg