Dill Pickle Relish with Jalapenos
Dill Pickle Relish
I planted 2 rows of Boston Pickling Cucumbers this year with every intention of putting up a few jars of pickles, but since I have spent the summer away from home, on my return these would have made the biggest pickles you’ve ever seen. I don’t have jars that big.;)
With 2 entire rows of monster-sized cucumbers to contend with, rather than my original plan for pickles, I used a good portion of them to make several pints of dill pickle relish using home-grown cucumbers, onions, dill and dill seeds.
A couple of jalapeño peppers added the mildest hint of warmth to an overall dill pickle relish flavor.
There is something so satisfying about taking a few seeds and turning them into a pantry full of delicious foods for the year ahead!
The relish came out wonderfully, and I love that the bulk of it came straight from our little garden.
I saved a lot of time by finally buying myself a mandolin
This is a fantastic way to use up your excess garden cucumbers, but if you are without a garden, you can definitely use store bought to make this relish. If you love relish, making your own is very cost efficient, not at all difficult and decidedly delicious.
Dill Pickle Relish with Jalapeño Recipe
Makes 10~ – 1/2 pint jars
4 lbs. chopped cucumbers (I left skin on and seeds in)
3 cups chopped onion
2 seeded, chopped jalapeños
1 tsp. turmeric powder
3 tbsps. fresh dill weed, or 1 tbsp. dried dill (I wanted it extra dill-y and have lots of garden dill to use up, so I used 1 tbsp. dried dill plus 2 tbsps. fresh dill)
1/2 tbsp. dill seed
1/2 tbsp. mustard seed
3 tbsp. white sugar
1/4 cup sea or pickling salt
2 cups 5% distilled white vinegar
2 cups water
Prepare canning equipment.
In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, sea salt, and turmeric with water. Soak for 2 hours.
Drain (without squeezing excess moisture), rinse cucumber mixture and add to a large pot.
Add remaining ingredients.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
Use a ladle and canning funnel to fill prepared canning jars to within 1/2″ headspace.
Remove air bubbles, wipe rims and top to proper headspace if necessary.
Add lids and process for 10 minutes.
If you are new to canning, full step by step water bath canning instructions can be found here: Water Bath Canning Basics for Beginners.
Did you grow cucumbers this year? How did you preserve them?
