Homemade Sweet Pickle Relish

Homemade Sweet Pickle Relish

Homemade Sweet Pickle Relish is so simple to make. Let your extra fresh cucumbers work for you all year long.

I love relish. And Sweet Pickle Relish is my absolute favorite.

I am a creature of habit. And the way I use my condiments are no exception.

For instance. Mustard ONLY goes on salami sandwiches, liverwurst, sausage or those big hot pretzels you get at a sporting event.

Ketchup gets saved for hot dogs and hamburgers, french fries scrambled eggs. (Yes I am one of “those” people).

Cocktail and tartar sauces are strictly for seafoods, hush puppies and fries that are served with fish.

And relish? Why that is for hot dogs and tuna salad!!

We used to buy our condiments. But with dietary changes and trying to live without preservatives I have started making my own.

These are the INGREDIENTS you will need:

• 3 Pounds Pickling Cucumbers or 4 pounds of Large Cucumbers
• 1 Large sweet onion
• 1/4 Cup Pickling or Kosher Salt
• 3 Cups White Vinegar
• 3/4 Cup Sugar
• 4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 2 Tsp Dill Seed
• 2 Tsp Mustard seed
• 2 tsp Clelery Seed
• 1/2 Tsp Turmeric

These are the INSTRUCTIONS For preparation:

• Slice the cucumber lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. Discard the seeds.
• Finely dice the cucumber and onion. 
• Place diced cucumbers and onions in a non reactive pot and add the salt. Stir and let sit for 2 hours.
• Drain cucumber and onion mixture in a strainer until all the liquid is removed. You may have to press the mixture against the strainer to remove hidden moisture.
• In a medium pot add vinegar, sugar, garlic, dill, celery, and mustard seed, and tumeric. Bring to a boil.
• Add cucumber and onion mixture and return to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Cool and store in refrigerator for up to a month or process in water bath for 10 minutes.

NOTES

Recipe courtesy of Old World Garden Farms

This way I can control the freshness, ingredients and how much I will have on hand.

And some I can spice up or down to suit my needs. No reason to have a bunch of different types around.

But relish?? That one is near and dear to my heart.

I am the only person in my home that loves sweet pickles. Or sweet pickle relish for that matter.

And I make a fair amount of tuna salad. So having it on hand when I need it is a must.

It is very easy to make. But like any food you pickle it does take time. And you can’t skip any steps.

I have been using this recipe from Old World Garden Farms for a while now. And it has never failed me.

It makes about 3-4 pints of canned relish. And that lasts me throughout the summer.

This Sweet Pickle Relish is a recipe you will want to give a try!

Most images in my Tip Friday Series use free stock photos. This article is part of the Tips That Help in the Kitchen Series, Tip Friday.