Absolutely Fabulous Zucchini Relish

If you are like me, and think that there is nothing better than a grilled hot dog in the summer, then I have a recipe for you!  This recipe came from our real estate lady the summer we were buying our very first home of our own. Loree came in carrying a large bushel basket of zucchini and a handful of recipes for me. I was a young mom with three small children who had already experienced the joy of filling up my root cellar with canned and preserved food. So, I enthusiastically set out to conquer the basket of squash. We have enjoyed this relish  over the past thirty years and  you will never want to eat a hot dog without it once you try it.

INGREDIENTS

1. 11 cups of grated zucchini ( I slice out the center of seeds when I use larger zucchini.)
2. 4 cups of grated onions
3. 1 large green pepper
4. 3 tbsp salt

Combine all of these ingredients in a large bowl and cover with ice cubes and water. Let it stand in the frig overnight. The next day when you are ready to process the relish, wash your jars, boil your lids and get the water bath ready first, then your are ready to get started.  Wash your vegetable mixture with cold water, drain well, and then put it into a pot with:

1.  2 1/4 cups of white vinegar

2.  5 cups sugar

3. 1 tbsp mustard seed

4.  1 tbsp turmeric

5.  2 tsp celery seed

6. 1 tsp nutmeg

 Cook all of these ingredients together for 30 minutes. I buy my spices in the bulk section in the produce department. They are much less expensive!  Ladle the hot relish into the jars and process for 5 minutes. I double this recipe and it makes 8 pints. If you have a good supply,  you might as well double the recipe since it really is no more work.  This relish makes great gifts as well!

Have fun with this and heat up the grill!  My favorite brand of hot dogs is Hebrew National!

Diana