Zucchini Relish

Zucchinis are great and easy to grow as long as you don't have too many slugs around.  A problem some people face if finding enough different recipes to use them in, especially the monster baseball bat ones.  Last year I started making Zucchini Relish and I was not able to make enough of it to keep my family satisfied throughout the year.  Personally I am not a huge fan of relish in general unless it is on a hotdog or hamburger but my family will eat it will bread, crackers or cheese.  I hope you enjoy it as much as they do.

Zucchini Relish

4 stalks celery, chopped

10 cups grated zucchini

4 large onions, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1/2 cup pickling salt

3 cups vinegar

3 1/4 cups sugar

2 1/2 tbsp celery seed

2 1/2 tbsp mustard seed

2 tsp turmeric powder

2 tbsp corn starch

1/2 vinegar

Day 1

Combine the vegetables and pickling salt in a large stainless steel bowl or pan.  Let them sit overnight.

Day 2

1. Drain the vegetables and rinse them well.
2. In a large pot bring the vinegar (3 cups), sugar and seasonings to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and add the vegetables.  Let it stand for two hours.
4. Return to the stove and bring to a boil.  
5. Dissolve the cornstarch in vinegar (1/2 cup) and add it to the boiling mixture.  Allow everything to simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Spoon into sterilized jars and seal.
7. Process in a water bather for 20 minutes.

*** Makes about 15 half pints/500 mL jars