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Fresh Homemade Zucchini Relish for Hot Dogs

fresh homemade zucchini relish - featured image

A quick and easy 5-minute recipe for a fresh, tangy, and sweet zucchini relish perfect for topping hot dogs, burgers, and sandwiches during summer cookouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium zucchinis, finely chopped or grated (about 3 cups or 350 grams)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
  • 3/4 cup (6 fl oz) white vinegar (distilled preferred)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g or 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon celery seeds (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/4 cup (2 fl oz) water

Instructions

  1. Wash the zucchinis well. Chop or grate them finely to make about 3 cups (around 350 grams). Dice 1 small yellow onion and 1 small green bell pepper into small, uniform pieces. This should take about 10 minutes.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped zucchini, onion, and green pepper. Add 3/4 cup white vinegar and 1/4 cup water.
  3. Sprinkle in 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon celery seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder.
  4. Heat the pan over medium heat, stirring gently but continuously to dissolve the sugar and evenly distribute the spices. When the mixture starts to bubble (3-5 minutes), lower the heat.
  5. Simmer gently on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The vegetables should soften slightly but retain some crunch and vibrant color.
  6. Remove from heat and let the relish cool to room temperature. Transfer to a clean glass jar or airtight container and refrigerate. Flavors develop more after a few hours but it tastes great fresh.

Notes

Do not overcook the relish to maintain crunch. Stir gently to avoid burning sugar. Mustard seeds add texture and flavor; do not skip. If relish is too watery after cooling, drain excess liquid or simmer a minute longer next time. Can add jalapeño for spice or reduce sugar for a low-sugar version. Store in fridge up to 2 weeks. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini relish, homemade relish, hot dog topping, summer cookout, quick relish, easy relish recipe, fresh relish, zucchini recipe