Sweet Pickle Relish
*Makes 4 pints (though next time I’m gonna do half-pints)
- 6-7 large unpeeled cucumbers (about 4 cups), diced
- 2 medium green bell peppers (about 1 1/2 cups), diced
- 2 heads celery (about 3 cups), diced
- 1/4 cup salt
- 3 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 1 tsp celery seed
- 1 tsp mustard seed
Finely chop the veggies in a food processor for a couple of seconds, being careful not to grind them into a puree. Pour the veggies into a large bowl and add salt; cover with water and let stand for about 5 hours.
Drain well, pressing the mixture to remove all liquid.
Combine the remaining ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil. Continue stirring until all of the sugar has dissolved. Add the vegetable mixture to the saucepan, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Pack into hot, sterilized jars leaving 1/2 inch head space. Process for 10 minutes in a water bath canner.
I love mixing some chicken or tuna with some mayo and homemade sweet pickle relish for a quick sandwich or cracker spread! Yummy!!
A city girl learning to homestead on an acre of land in the country. Wife and homeschooling mother of four. Enjoying life, and everything that has to do with self sufficient living.
I have used this same recipe for the bread and butter and they come out limp and soggy the only thing i have been doing different is using table salt,if i use the pickle salt will that make them crispy
Margo,
Definitely make sure you’re using small pickling cucumbers instead of larger slicing cucumbers. The salt will make a difference in your end product as well. Table salt is never recommended. Your pickles won’t be crunchy like store-bought pickles unless you add stuff to make them that way. Some people recommend adding alum to pickles for crunch, but I would never want to add an aluminum product to my food. Yuck.
thanks!!! i plan to make zucchini AND pickle relish!!! i use it to make ham salad n chicken salad!!! pickle relish, mayo n meat.. and a touch of sugar if its not quite sweet enuf (=
WOW! Your canning looks fabulous. I hope I can learn to do it too!
MommaMia,
If I can learn it… ANYBODY can learn to can!!
Thanks for this! I get tired of using cucumbers in pickling and it’s nice to find a new thing to do with the cukes!
-Kate
Thank you for sharing. I have a Garden relish made with cabbage (Amish Grandmother recipe) that I make that you would love; if you want it please e-mail me. Happy Labor Day long weekend : )