Spicy Texas Cucuzza-Pepper Relish

"I came up with this recipe to use up the number of cucuzzas I have growing in my garden. This spicy condiment is perfect on hot dogs or hamburgers. The relish can also be poured over a block of cream cheese and served as a dip with chips or crackers."
 
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photo by Kim D. photo by Kim D.
photo by Kim D.
photo by Kim D. photo by Kim D.
Ready In:
2hrs
Ingredients:
16
Yields:
6 8 oz. jars
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ingredients

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directions

  • Finely chop cucuzza, onion, bell peppers and jalapeños. (This can be a time consuming step, so I use my Pampered Chef food chopper).
  • Place cucuzza, onions, bell peppers and jalapeños in a large mixing bowl.
  • Sprinkle pickling salt over cucuzza mixture and stir well to combine.
  • Let cucuzza mixture sit on the counter at room temperature for 1 hour.
  • Thoroughly rinse cucuzza mixture in a strainer under cold running water.
  • Use a wooden spoon to press the veggies against the side of the strainer to drain as much water as you can.
  • Place drained cucuzza mixture in a clean bowl.
  • Let sit on the counter for an additional 15 minutes, then drain again to remove excess water.
  • In a large stockpot, combine vinegar, sugar, Thai peppers, celery seeds, cayenne pepper, turmeric and black pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  • Reduce heat to simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove Thai peppers from pot and discard.
  • Add chopped cucuzza mixture to the stockpot.
  • Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until veggies are tender.
  • In a small bowl, combine water and cornstarch; mix to dissolve.
  • Pour cornstarch mixture into stockpot and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Pour into sterilized canning jars and process in a water bath for 10 minutes.

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Reviews

  1. Thanks for this recipe! I loved it! I had so much Cucuzza squash I was desperate for different ideas. This was easy to make and delicious!
     
  2. My nonna would be so proud that I found recipes. many from you Kim D. that replicated the dishes she would make our family when she was still with us - thank you, thank you, thank you. I picked up a large cucuzza this past weekend with the hopes of finding a recipe that would honor her memory. I now have several to try. Grazie
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p><br /><br />The picture is of me and my husband at the Grand Canyon - November 2008. <br /><br />I've just started a food blog and would love for those interested in cooking and recipes to check it out. You can follow my food journey at <a href=http://onecookbookatathyme.wordpress.com/>http://onecookbookatathyme.wordpress.com/</a></p> <p>Cooking for family and friends is one of my favorite things to do. I spend most of my free time in the kitchen, either checking out Recipezaar or experimenting with a newly found recipe. <br /><br />My DH and I are both from Texas and we both come from Italian families. Anyone who stops by my house should be prepared to eat!!! I'm always forcing friends and family to try whatever it is that just came out of the oven. I know that is a horrible habit but I can't break it... I think it must be the Italian in me! LOL :) <br /><br />My sister (<a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/browse/getchef.zsp?id=85654>Cookin_Kit</a>) and I used to help my Mom (<a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/browse/getchef.zsp?id=124343>JudaThann</a>) in the kitchen a lot growing up. I guess that is where my love for cooking began. I also enjoy sharing the kitchen with my DH (<a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/browse/getchef.zsp?id=202688>Sgt. Pepper</a>). He doesn't cook as often as he did when we first got married, but he makes an awesome pizza and still makes them at least twice a month. He keeps his recipes for the dough and the sauce top secret, even from me. LOL <br /><br />I have two step-children. The oldest graduated from college and the youngest is a sophomore at Texas Tech. I also have two cats and a dog. When I?m not cooking or hanging out here at Zaar, I like to knit, garden, read, watch old movies, travel, take photos, scrapbook, volunteer at a non-kill animal shelter, and spend time with my family and friends. <br /><br /><img src=http://images.snapfish.com/34359%3C8323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D8%3A3%3D429%3DXROQDF%3E23237%3C2733%3B9%3Bot1lsi alt= /> <br /><br />I'm a co-host with <a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/browse/getchef.zsp?id=21399>Karen From Colorado</a> in the <a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewforum?f=37>Mexican/Tex-Mex/Southern United States Cooking Forum</a>. Come visit us sometime! <br /><br /><img src=http://images.snapfish.com/34359%3C8323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D8%3A3%3D429%3DXROQDF%3E23237%3C2733%3B9%3Bot1lsi alt= /> <br /><br />I'm also a co-host with <a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/member/9580>Richard-NYC</a> and <a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/member/34146>Dee514</a> in the <a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewforum.zsp?f=36>Italian Cooking Forum</a>. <br /><br /><img src=http://images.snapfish.com/34359%3C8323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D8%3A3%3D429%3DXROQDF%3E23237%3C2733%3B9%3Bot1lsi alt= /> <br /><br />Games that I've participated in: <br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/beartag_1_1.jpg alt=Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting border=0 /> <img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/adopted_1_1.jpg alt=Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting border=0 /> <img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/World%20Tour/AnimatedHostChallengeBanner.gif alt= /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/untitled.jpg alt= /> <img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/200_artistrichardneuman-art-prints_.jpg alt= /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/projects/pacbanner.jpg alt=Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket border=0 /> <img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/projects/200_PACpic.jpg alt=Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket border=0 /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%203/ZWT3-Participation.gif alt= /> <img src=http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f249/Dreamgoddess555/Narrow1-1.jpg alt= /> <img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/BtoBHosts.jpg alt=Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket border=0 /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/Adopted1smp.jpg alt=Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket border=0 /> <img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/smPACp.jpg alt=Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket border=0 /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/tgifford/Game%20Room%20Banners/adoptatagparticipant.jpg alt= /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e347/Saturn6666/Other/tagforpage1.jpg alt= /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/PAC08Main.jpg alt= /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/adoptedspring08.jpg alt= /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f249/Dreamgoddess555/eatoutsidesticker.jpg alt= /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj81/HokiesLady65/totmtaggame-1.jpg alt=Photobucket border=0 /> <a href=http://photobucket.com target=_blank><img src=http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w115/bugh8er/food%20and%20swaps/4811_36055_t.jpg alt=Photobucket border=0 /> <br /><br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/IWasAdoptedfall08.jpg alt=Photobucket border=0 /> <img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/PACfall08partic.jpg alt=Photobucket border=0 /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src=http://images.snapfish.com/34359%3C8323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D8%3A3%3D429%3DXROQDF%3E23237%3C2733%3B9%3Bot1lsi alt= /> <br /><br /><br />Last updated on September 24, 2008 <br /><br /><br /><img src=http://images.snapfish.com/34359%3C8323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D8%3A3%3D429%3DXROQDF%3E23237%3C2733%3B9%3Bot1lsi alt= /></a></p>
 
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