Ellen’s Zucchini Relish

Years ago I was in 4H.  My best friend’s Mom was the leader and they lived just up the road from me.  This group was for sewing and cooking.  Can I just say I was VERY MUCH of a tom-boy then and the patience Mrs. Knight showered on me went well beyond what I deserved.  I once had to make garlic bread for a 4H fair entry and I panicked!!  Yes, really.  Another time I was in a competition for handmade clothes (made a “lovely” reversible wrap around skirt with a matching vest and a bandana for my hair….wore big clunky clogs that I’m SURE were the height of fashion at the time).  I did NOT want to be in the competition, but they convinced me.  There was a fashion show and a BOY had to escort me, dressed in my outfit, across the stage, where I pirouetted and then SLOWLY walked off stage.  Mrs. Knight “promised” me that I just had to  go up there once and be done with it.  But wouldn’t you know it, I won alternate (I’d go to a bigger competition if one of the other 2 girls couldn’t go).  I’ll end this by saying that I prayed earnestly for good health for both those girls!!!  LOL!  Okay, so now, I’m eternally indebted to Mrs. Knight for her help and friendship.  Who knew that I’d end up actually LIKING this stuff and maybe even getting pretty good at it!!  LOL!!

And now, with all that blather out of the way, here’s the recipe:

Ellen Knight’s Zucchini Relish
10 C shredded zucchini
4 C chopped onions (actually, I put all veggies through the shredder)
1 or 2 green peppers
1 or 2 red peppers
5 Tbs salt (NOT iodized!)
2 1/2 C vinegar
6 C sugar (you can half this!)
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix vegetables with salt and chill overnight or several hours.  Rinse and drain well

In a 6 qt pan bring remaining ingredients to a boil.  Stir in vegetables and let simmer 15 minutes.  Seal in hot jars.  Process in a hot water bath 5 minutes.  This can also be frozen (but like my Dad said, there’s just something about going down to the canning cupboard and grabbing a jar of homemade relish.  Freezing requires thawing, which delays your enjoyment of this yummy stuff!)

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