Blue Ridge Sweet Red Pepper Relish
A vibrant, sweet red pepper relish with onions and apples, perfect for topping hot dogs, burgers, or green beans, offering a balanced mix of sweetness and tang.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Core, seed, and chop red peppers medium-coarse.
- Peel and chop onions medium-coarse.
- Peel, core, and chop apples medium-coarse.
- Place vegetables and apples in a large enamel or stainless steel pot. Pour in just enough boiling water to cover.
- Let stand for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine vinegar, cold water, sugar, and pickling salt in a medium-sized enamel pan.
- Bring to a boil; stir to dissolve sugar. Lower heat, simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Drain the vegetable-apple mixture well.
- Return the drained mixture to the same pot.
- Pour in the vinegar mixture.
- Bring to a full, rolling boil.
- Pour into pint jars after cooking thoroughly, then seal (about 20 to 30 minutes).
- Eat on hot dogs, hamburgers, or green beans.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth, consider roasting the sweet red peppers before chopping. If you don't have Golden Delicious apples, any sweet apple will work as a substitute. Adjust the sugar based on your sweetness preference, and feel free to experiment by adding spices like mustard seeds or celery seeds for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This relish is perfect as a condiment for hot dogs, hamburgers, or even served alongside Kielbasa With Sauce. Pair it with grilled meats or spread it on sandwiches for a zingy flavor boost. For a delightful appetizer, serve it with cream cheese and crackers.
Storage & Reheating
Store the Blue Ridge Sweet Red Pepper Relish in a cool, dark place. Once opened, keep it in the refrigerator where it will last for up to a month. To reheat, simply warm it gently on the stove or microwave until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Blue Ridge Sweet Red Pepper Relish contains roughly 256 calories, with 6g protein, 47g carbohydrates, and 7g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (64% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. It also contributes 9g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of peppers in this relish?
Yes, you can mix in other sweet peppers like orange or yellow bell peppers for a more colorful relish. Just keep the proportions similar to maintain the flavor balance.
How long does the relish need to sit before it’s ready to eat?
For the best flavor, let the relish sit for at least 24 hours after canning. This allows the ingredients to meld together beautifully, enhancing the overall taste.
Is this relish suitable for canning?
Absolutely! This recipe is designed for canning, allowing you to preserve the relish for future use. Just ensure you follow proper canning procedures for safety, including sterilizing jars and checking seals.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).