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Fresh Zesty Zucchini Relish

fresh zesty zucchini relish - featured image

A quick and easy fresh zucchini relish with a tangy, sweet, and spicy flavor perfect for burgers, hot dogs, and grilled foods. This relish delivers a crunchy texture and bright zest without heavy pickling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium zucchinis, finely chopped or grated
  • 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 small yellow onion, minced
  • 1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Wash zucchinis thoroughly. Grate or finely chop the zucchini using a grater or food processor.
  2. Place grated zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
  3. Press or squeeze the zucchini gently with a clean kitchen towel to remove as much liquid as possible.
  4. While zucchini drains, finely dice the red bell pepper, mince the onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Remove jalapeño seeds for milder relish if desired.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine the drained zucchini, red bell pepper, onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Stir gently but thoroughly.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and black pepper until sugar dissolves.
  7. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and mix well to coat evenly.
  8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the relish into an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
  9. Before serving, stir the relish and adjust salt or lemon juice if needed.

Notes

Drain zucchini thoroughly to avoid watery relish. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor. Adjust spice by removing jalapeño seeds or adding more for heat. Store leftovers in a glass jar for up to 5 days. Can substitute red bell pepper with yellow tomatoes or add pineapple for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini relish, fresh relish, summer condiment, burger topping, hot dog topping, easy relish recipe, vegan relish, gluten-free relish