Sweet Summer season Squash Relish Canning Recipe

Sweet Summer season Squash Relish Canning Recipe


Shield your yard’s bounty with this simple summer season relish recipe. Sweet, tangy, and preferrred for using up overgrown summer season squash, this versatile condiment gives a burst of style to any meal.


Jars of home canned yellow summer squash relish on a table.

In case you’re in quest of a simple choice to guard an abundance of summer season squash out of your yard, this sweet and tangy relish is the proper reply. Whether or not or not you might need a surplus of fully tender fruit or just some large, overgrown summer season squash that seem to have taken on a lifetime of their personal, this recipe will allow you rework them proper right into a delicious condiment that you’d be capable of have the benefit of all 12 months prolonged.

Turning summer season squash into relish is a inconceivable choice to learn out of your harvest. In case you uncover that your squash has grown a bit too large, don’t worry—you’ll merely peel off the sturdy skins and scoop out the seeds sooner than shredding them for this recipe. The result is a versatile relish that’s crammed with style, with merely the appropriate steadiness of sweetness and tang.

This quick and simple canning recipe is not solely an efficient strategy to defend your yard’s bounty however as well as gives a burst of summer season freshness to your meals prolonged after the rising season has ended.

In regards to the Parts 

This relish combines the fragile flavors of shredded summer season squash and onions with a tangy vinegar brine, enhanced by a mixture of mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. The result is a flavorful, shiny relish that captures the essence of summer season.

Summer season Squash, recognized for its tender pores and pores and skin and delicate style, serves as the proper base for this relish, providing a clear canvas for infusing style. It is best to make the most of any variety of summer season squash—whether or not or not it’s zucchini, yellow squash, or pattypan—each will contribute its distinctive texture and delicate style. For -of-the-line outcomes, use squash that’s freshly harvested out of your yard or current from a neighborhood farmers’ market.  

Vidalia Onions carry a mild, sweet, and savory depth to the relish, complementing the squash and the tang of the vinegar. However, you’ll choose from any variety of bulb onions, akin to pink, yellow, white, sweet onions, or maybe a mix. One medium onion will yield about ½ cup of chopped onions, together with merely the right amount of chew to the relish. 

Vinegar is the vital factor to preserving the relish and providing its signature tangy style. Use industrial vinegar with at least 5% acidity to ensure the relish is protected for canning and has the right steadiness of acidity. 

Sugar helps steadiness the acidity of the vinegar, and gives a sweetness that enhances the final style of the relish.  

Spices: Mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric the middle of this relish’s style profile. The mustard seeds add a fragile pop of heat, the celery seeds carry a contact of earthiness, and the turmeric presents a warmth, golden shade along with its delicate, peppery style. Collectively, these spices elevate the simple parts, turning them proper right into a relish that’s as vibrant in model because it’s in shade. 


A large bowl of freshly harvested yellow summer squash.A large bowl of freshly harvested yellow summer squash.

Safe Ingredient Changes or Substitutions 

You’ll make sure that changes and ingredient swaps to this research-tested recipe with out compromising safety. Whereas it’s important to maintain up the proportions of summer season squash and vinegar as specified, the following adjustments could possibly be made with out affecting the safety of your relish:

  • Use Any Summer season Squash: I I’m using yellow summer season squash on this recipe, nevertheless be completely satisfied to swap it for an extra choice. This versatile recipe works properly with any form of summer season squash, along with inexperienced zucchini, Romanesco, yellow zucchini, youthful yellow crookneck, spherical zucchini, pattypan, or zephyr.  
  • Alternate the Onions: Whereas Vidalia onion often called for on this recipe, you’ll substitute it with any bulb onion, akin to pink, yellow, white, sweet onions—or maybe a mix. You possibly can too cut back or omit the onions completely in case you like, nevertheless do not enhance the quantity, as this may impact the safety of the relish. 
  • Swap the Vinegar: Although this recipe requires distilled white vinegar, you’ll substitute it with any industrial vinegar that has at least 5% acidity, akin to apple cider vinegar. 
  • Regulate the Sugar: I’ve already lowered the sugar from the distinctive recipe, nevertheless you’ll cut back it extra in case you like a a lot much less sweet pickle relish. Conversely, in case you have the benefit of a sweeter relish, you’ll safely enhance the sugar as a lot as 2 1/4 cups. Brown sugar may even be used as a substitute for a deeper, additional superior style. 
  • Regulate the Seasonings: You’ll safely omit or change the mustard and celery seeds with an equal amount of various pickling spices in accordance along with your model. The turmeric may even be skipped or swapped out for various dried spices. Furthermore, canning salt could possibly be added to model. If using larger pickling spices like allspice berries, peppercorns, or crushed bay , ponder inserting them in a spice bag and simmering briefly inside the brine to extract their style. Then, take away the spice bag sooner than together with the shredded summer season squash to forestall undesirable texture inside the relish. 
  • Jar Dimension: This relish could possibly be safely canned in each pint or half-pint jars, allowing you to resolve on the size that best suits your desires.

Steps for Making and Canning Summer season Squash Relish  

This recipe is tailor-made from the “Summer season Squash Relish” recipe found on the Nationwide Coronary heart for Home Meals Preservation. I lowered the amount of sugar and mustard seeds. 

Sooner than you begin, reviewing the on using boiling water canners on the NCHFP site may be helpful. 

You may discover your complete printable recipe on the bottom of this textual content, nevertheless listed below are the detailed illustrated steps to creating and canning summer season squash relish: 

Step 1: Acquire Your Kitchen and Canning Gear 

Acquire and put collectively your kitchen and canning gear. You want:  

Wash each factor in warmth, soapy water. Rinse properly, and put apart to air dry on clear kitchen towels. Confirm over the jars and do away with any with nicks, scratches, or cracks. Pay cautious consideration to the perimeters of the jars. Small nicks can forestall the lids from sealing. 

Preheat your jars inside the water tub canner by inserting the canner on the vary. Add the canning rack to the underside, and place the jars upright on the rack. Add enough water to fill and cover the jars. Convey the canner to a simmer (180˚F), simmer for at least 10 minutes, and maintain warmth. 

Step 2: Put collectively the Parts 

You need about 4 kilos of summer season squash for this recipe. Weigh the summer season squash, then rinse it properly beneath clear working water.  

For those who’re using overgrown summer season squash, the skins and seeds may add undesirable texture. Take away the sturdy skins using a vegetable peeler, slice open the squash, and scoop out the seeds. Weigh the squash after peeling and seeding. 

Trim off the stem and blossom ends, reduce them into manageable objects, after which shred them using a meals processor. Squash may also be finely chopped using a knife or grated by using the huge holes of a discipline grater. Add the shredded squash to a giant prep bowl.  


Close up of shredded summer squash in a food processor bowl.Close up of shredded summer squash in a food processor bowl.

Peel and chop or shred the onion. Measure ½ cup of chopped onions and add to the prep bowl. Put apart as you make your selecting brine. 


Close up of prepared summer squash and onion in a large prep bowl.Close up of prepared summer squash and onion in a large prep bowl.

Step 3: Make the Relish 

In a giant saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. Convey the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring all the until the sugar is completely dissolved.  


Simmering the pickling brine in a pot.Simmering the pickling brine in a pot.

Subsequent, add the shredded summer season squash and onions to the saucepan and stir to mix each factor collectively. At first, it might seem like there isn’t enough brine to cowl the greens, nevertheless don’t worry—the summer season squash will soften as a result of it cooks and launch its private moisture, creating additional liquid. Keep stirring ceaselessly and let the mixture return to a boil. As quickly as boiling, proceed to organize dinner for 5 minutes. Then, cut back the heat and maintain the relish warmth if you put collectively to fill your jars. 


Simmering the relish in the pickling brine.Simmering the relish in the pickling brine.

Step 4: Fill the Jars 

Unfold a dry towel on the counter. Use the jar lifter to remove one jar from the canner, draining the water once more into the canner. Place the jar on the towel, conserving the remaining jars inside the canner to stay warmth.   

Use the canning funnel and ladle to fill the good and comfortable jar with the brand new relish, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Run the bubble popper through the jar slowly to launch any air bubbles. Regulate the headspace as soon as extra if needed to maintain up 1/2-inch.   

Wipe the rim with a transparent towel to remove any residue. Add the lid and secure it with a screw band until it is fingertip-tight. Return the jar to the canner. Repeat with the remaining jars. 


Filling a jar with summer squash relish.Filling a jar with summer squash relish.

Step 5: Course of in a Water Bathtub Canner  

As quickly as all the crammed jars are inside the canner, alter the water stage so it is at least 2 inches above the tops of the jars. Cowl the pot and produce it to a full boil. As quickly because the water boils vigorously, set a timer and course of for the events indicated inside the recipe beneath.  

Step 6: Cool and Retailer the Jars  

When the processing time is full, flip off the heat, take away the lid, and let the canner cool and settle for about 5 minutes. Unfold a dry kitchen towel on the counter. Use the jar lifter to remove the brand new jars from the canner and place them on the towel, spacing them numerous inches apart. Keep the jars upright, and do not tighten bands or confirm the seals however. Let the jars sit undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours to relax.  

After 12 to 24 hours, confirm to ensure the lids are sealed by pressing on the center of each lid. Refrigerate any jars that didn’t seal and eat inside a month.  

Put collectively your jars for storage by eradicating the ring bands and washing them completely in warmth, soapy water to do away with residue. Dry the jars, then label and date them. Retailer in a cool, darkish place between 50 and 70˚F. Let the salsa sit for 2 to 4 weeks to develop style. Use inside 12 to 18 months for the easiest high quality. This recipe yields about 5 pints or 10 half-pints. 


4 jars of home canned yellow summer squash relish on a table.4 jars of home canned yellow summer squash relish on a table.

Strategies to Use Your Summer season Squash Relish 

Summer season squash relish is a versatile condiment that gives a burst of style to every kind of dishes. Listed under are some delicious strategies to have the benefit of your do-it-yourself relish:

  • Elevate Your Sandwiches and Burgers: Unfold a spoonful of summer season squash relish on sandwiches, wraps, or burgers in order so as to add a tangy, crunchy issue. It pairs notably properly with grilled rooster, turkey, or veggie burgers, giving your meals a current, zesty kick. 
  • Enhance Your Grilled Meats: Use the relish as a topping for grilled meats akin to scorching canine, sausages, and brats. The extreme flavors of the relish complement the smoky, savory notes of grilled meats, making it a great addition to your summer season cookouts. 
  • Operate a Tasty Topping for Tacos: Add a dollop of summer season squash relish to your tacos for an stunning twist. It actually works beautifully with fish tacos, rooster, or vegetarian selections, providing a refreshing distinction to the good and comfortable, rich flavors. 
  • Mix into Salads: Incorporate the relish into potato salads, pasta salads, or coleslaw for added style and texture. The relish gives a tangy sweetness that enhances the final model of these fundamental facet dishes. 
  • Use as a Dip or Unfold: Combine the relish into cream cheese, bitter cream, or mayonnaise to create a flavorful dip or unfold. This can be served with crackers, chips, or current greens for a quick and simple appetizer. 
  • Accompany Cheese and Charcuterie Boards: Embrace a jar of your summer season squash relish in your subsequent cheese and charcuterie board. Its tangy, barely sweet style pairs properly with a variety of cheeses, cured meats, and crackers, together with a gourmand contact to your unfold.  

Sweet Summer season Squash Relish Canning Recipe

Shield your yard’s bounty with this simple summer season squash relish recipe. Sweet, tangy, and preferrred for using up overgrown summer season squash, this versatile condiment gives a burst of style to any meal.

Prep Time 25 minutes
Put together dinner Time 10 minutes
Processing Time 15 minutes
Full Time 50 minutes

Put collectively the Canning Gear:

  • Wash the jars, lids, screw bands, and canning devices in scorching soapy water. Rinse properly to remove all suds.

  • Place the jar rack into the water tub canner, place jars inside the canner, and add water to cowl. Convey the canner to a simmer (180˚F) for 10 minutes, and maintain the jars warmth until you are in a position to fill them.

Put collectively the Greens:

  • Rinse the squash properly beneath clear working water. Take away the blossom and stem ends. If the squash is very large, likelihood is you may want to remove the seeds as properly. Finely chop or shred the squash using a meals processor. Add to a prep bowl.

  • Peel and chop the onions and measure 1/2 cup of chopped onions. Add to the prep bowl and put apart.

Make the Relish:

  • Combine the vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric in a giant saucepan, and produce it to a boil over medium-high heat whereas stirring until the sugar dissolves.

  • Add the prepared summer season squash and onions and stir to combine. Return to a boil, and proceed to boil for 5 minutes, then cut back the heat and maintain warmth as you fill your jars.

Fill the Jars:

  • Unfold a towel on the counter. Use the jar lifter to remove a warmth jar from the canner. Drain the water once more into the canner and place it on the towel. Keep the remaining jars inside the canner in order that they preserve warmth.

  • Use the canning funnel and ladle to fill the jar with scorching relish, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Run the bubble popper through the jar to launch air bubbles. Regulate the headspace as soon as extra if needed to maintain up 1/2-inch.

  • Wipe the rim clear with a moist paper towel. Coronary heart a lid on the jar, and screw on the band until it is fingertip tight. Use the jar lifter to place the jar once more into the canner, and repeat with the remaining jars.

Course of in a Water Bathtub Canner:

  • As quickly because the crammed jars are all inside the canner, alter the water stage to 2 inches above the jar tops.

  • Cowl the canner and produce it to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. As quickly because it boils, set a timer and course of every pints and half-pints in a boiling water tub canner for quarter-hour at altitudes of decrease than 1,000 ft. Regulate processing time to your altitude if wanted. (See notes)

  • When the processing time is full, flip off the heat, take away the quilt by tilting the lid away from you so that steam would not burn your face, and allow the canner to relax down and settle for 5 minutes.

  • Unfold a dry kitchen towel on the counter. Use a jar lifter to remove the jars individually from the canner. Keep the jars upright and place them on the towel. Do not tighten ring bands or verify the seals however. Let the jars sit undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours to relax.

  • After the jars have cooled for at least 12 hours, confirm to make sure lids have sealed by pushing on the center of the lid. The lid mustn’t pop up. If the lid flexes up and down, it did not seal. Place the jar inside the fridge, and use inside a month.

  • Take away the ring bands, wash, label, date the jars, and retailer in a cool, darkish place between 50 to 70 ranges F for 12 to 18 months. As quickly because the jar is open, refrigerate and use it inside a month. Yields about 5 pints or 10 half pints.

This examined protected canning recipe is from the NCHFP site. Altering the recipe may make it unsafe for canning.
All events are at altitudes of decrease than 1,000 ft. Adjustments must be made for altitudes bigger than 1,000 ft. For altitudes of 1,001–6,000 ft = 20 minutes, and 6,001 ft and above = 25 minutes.

Serving: 1tablespoon | Power: 5kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 2.2g | Sugar: 0.8g | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 5mg

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Ad image for a salsa ebook.Ad image for a salsa ebook.



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Shield your yard’s bounty with this simple summer season squash relish recipe. Sweet, tangy, and preferrred for using up overgrown summer season squash, this versatile condiment gives a burst of style to any meal. In case you’re in quest of a simple choice to guard an abundance of summer season…