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Fresh Zucchini Relish Recipe Easy Homemade Topping for Hot Dogs and Burgers

fresh zucchini relish recipe - featured image

A crisp, tangy, and slightly sweet homemade zucchini relish perfect for elevating hot dogs, burgers, and grilled sandwiches with a fresh summer flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced or shredded
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • Β½ cup granulated sugar
  • ΒΎ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (optional)
  • Β½ teaspoon celery seeds (optional)
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the zucchinis, then slice them thinly or shred using a box grater. Chop the onion and dice the bell peppers into small, uniform pieces.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, toss the zucchini, onion, and peppers with 1 tablespoon of salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
  3. After 30 minutes, drain off the liquid using a colander or sieve. Press gently with a spoon to remove as much water as possible.
  4. In a small saucepan, combine Β½ cup apple cider vinegar, Β½ cup sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and red pepper flakes (if using). Heat gently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  5. Pour the warm pickling liquid over the drained vegetables. Stir well to coat evenly. Taste and adjust sugar or vinegar if desired.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let flavors meld, preferably overnight.
  7. Serve as a topping on hot dogs, burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, or as a side relish.

Notes

The 30-minute salting step is crucial for keeping the relish crisp. Heating the vinegar and sugar mixture dissolves sugar and infuses spices but avoid boiling vigorously. The relish is best served chilled or at room temperature and keeps well in the fridge for up to one week. Stir occasionally during chilling for even flavor distribution. Avoid using frozen zucchini as it releases too much water and becomes mushy.

Nutrition

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