Bright Green Chicago Relish Recipes

THE HIRSHON CHICAGO ATOMIC GREEN HOT DOG RELISH

Steps:

• Use the coarse blade of a grinder. Combine all veggies in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt, cover with cold water and let stand for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
• Drain thoroughly in a colander and press out all excess liquid.
• Combine the sugar, vinegar, turmeric, celery seed and mustard seed. Bring to boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Stir in drained veggies, simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add a bit of cornstarch slurry (add small amounts as necessary until thickened to relish consistency). Add a FEW drops of blue food coloring until proper neon green color is achieved. The use of Turmeric in the TFD recipe really helps with this process!
• Pack into pint canning jars to within ½ inch of the top. Put on canning lid and band.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. This makes 5-6 pints.
• Make sure that you don't boil the filled jars too hard or the celery seed might become stuck between the lid and jar rim which would prevent the jars from sealing.

CHICAGO HOT RELISH

Steps:

• Chop tomatoes finely, drain off excess juice.
• Mix with onions, peppers and celery.
• Dissolve sugar and salt in vinegar; add with mustard seed and spices to vegetables.
• Mix well and seal in sterilized jars.

THE BEST RELISH I'VE EVER HAD

Steps:

• Grate the cucumbers and onions into a large bowl using the large holes of a box grater. Sprinkle the pickling salt over the top. Cover tightly, and allow to rest at room temperature overnight.
• Squeeze as much liquid as possible out of the cucumber mixture; set aside. Whisk together the sugar, flour, turmeric, ginger, and celery seed. Heat the vinegar and water in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Whisk in the sugar mixture until smooth. Stir in the cucumber mixture. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the relish into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process pint jars for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

CHICAGO HOT RELISH

Steps:

• Chop first 4 ingredients (not salt); add salt and mix well.
• Put in cheesecloth and hang over drip pan overnight (throw out juices).
• In the morning, add celery, mustard seed, vinegar and sugar; mix well.
• Can without cooking. First wash jars well, then scald jars and lids. Put the cold relish in the hot jars and put the hot lids on. The jars will not pop & seal, but the salt, vinegar and sugar will preserve this relish for up to 6 months (if it lasts that long at your house--it doesn't at ours).