Canning: Zucchini Relish

I have just realized that I have a million recipes that I have done that were supposed to be shared with you, but for some reason I have not shared them yet!  I'll try and span them out over time so you aren't bombarded and overloaded with FOOD.

Recipe #1 from the mass forgotten list/pictures of past recipes.

You may already know that Nick and I canned some salsa previously (that recipe will come as well), but we wanted to can something else.  After thinking about it for awhile (and maybe a little late in the canning season), we realized that zucchini was in season and so we decided to make a yummy zucchini relish (thank you mom!).


Canned Zucchini Relish

Ingredients:

  -  10 cups ground or shredded zucchini (I shred them in the food processor)

  -  4 cups ground or chopped onion

  -  2 or 3 green or red peppers chopped (red gives you more of a color contrast)

  -  5 Tbsp. salt

  -  5 cups sugar

  -  2 1/4 cups vinegar

  -  1 tsp. dry mustard

  -  1/2 tsp. pepper

  -  1 tsp. nutmeg

  -  1 tsp. tumeric

  -  2 tsp. celery seed

 

  -  2 Tbsp. corn starch

 

Take the first four items (zucchini, onion, peppers, and salt) and mix them together in a big bowl and let sit overnight on the counter.  You don't have to put them in the fridge.

 

In the morning rinse your mixture well with cold water and put aside.

In a large stock pot combine the remaining ingredients (minus corn starch) and bring to a boil.  Boil for 15 minutes.  

 

Mix in the drained zucchini mixture and bring back to a boil.  Boil for 15 minutes (15's the magic number).

 

Add 2 Tbsp. of corn starch to thicken the mixture. 

Put in jars and waterbath for 15-20 minutes.  I don't have anymore photos because, well, I was too excited about having more cans in my pantry!   I'll take a picture of all the cans and add them later :)

 

Makes 7-8 pints.

Enjoy!!

Show and Tell Monday

We had an awesome weekend. 

We saw Cloud Atlas in IMAX and it was pretty awesome (especially because I haven't seen an IMAX movie since I was 12).

We also explored Seattle with my best friend E, who flew in from Japan, and ate some yummy cupcakes.  We even went on the underground city tour.  I've never done it before and it was incredibly interesting.  If you like history or Seattle it's a pretty fun tour!

Now, to our scheduled program.

I'm linking up with Becky for a little Show and Tell.
 

1. Tell us what you studied in college. Is your job now related to what you studied?
I have a B.A. in elementary education and a minor in music.  I actually studied music education for the first two years of college, but then decided that I would have more options with an elementary degree instead (thus taking me 5 years to complete).  My job now is a nanny so it is, in a way, related to what I went to college for.


2. Tell us what your everyday job looks like.
It really depends on the day.  Prepare for a long-short story.
Usually I get there at 7, wake up T (she's 8) and get her ready for school.  When J wakes up (she's 4) I hang out with her and we watch cartoons, eat breakfast, and get ready for the day.  J has preschool for a couple hours on Tues. and Thurs. and gymnastics on Tues.  T has gymnastics everyday except Wed. after school and M (she's 13) has gymnastics on Mon. and Wed. after school.  My days really vary depending on the weather (whether we go out somewhere or stay inside and do crafts/something else) and what everyone else has going on.

Some days I have to be there at 5 am and then, if there's school, I have to get the 3 older girls ready in the morning.  It sounds like a lot of work/running around, but I love my job.  It is pretty awesome.  See the next question.


3. Do you have a picture of you at work? Show us.
I have a couple that I love.  They're pretty self-explanatory.  The youngest, J, is pretty adorable and the picture on the right kind of melts my heart because those two goofballs are just amazing.

4. In 10 years, what do you see yourself doing? Same thing? More? Tell us.
In 10 years I really hope to be a stay-at-home mom with at least two kids.  Ideally, depending on when we have these kids, I'd be a full-time SAHM, but I wouldn't mind being a part-time teacher or something.  Then I could teach part-time and come home and work with my kids.  I just really want to get my kids going during the first years of their lives (I'm thinking until they're 7 or so) in a good and healthy way.  Public schools scare me a little nowadays.


5. Tell us what you have learned, and what {if any} recommendations you may have for those looking to go into the field you are in.
Well, if you're looking to be a nanny my first suggestion is to make sure that you meet/know the family you are getting into.  Ask LOTS of questions.  I was a nanny for a single mom for about two weeks and, to be nice, it ended up not working out because of VERY different views on things.  Seriously though, ask questions about what the family expects from you, what rules they have for their kids, etc.  I'm so lucky to have an awesome family right now that my friend was a nanny for previously.  I couldn't ask for a better job!


What about your job?

Hello Friday!

Dear weekend,  I am so excited that you are here.  I've been waiting for you for weeks!  I'm stoked to see my best friend who's flying in from Japan on a business trip.  I haven't seen her since my wedding!

Dear Seattle,  please be nice to us.  Try not to rain too hard, thanks.

Dear Cloud Atlas,  I'm going to see you tomorrow.  You better be good! 

Dear Walking Dead and Parks and Rec,  you have become my newest addictions.  My husband thinks it's silly getting into all these TV shows, but I know you're awesome.

Source: theberry.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Dear new freezer,  you are awesome.  Now I'm going to make a million things to fill you up with.  You have been warned.

Dear Wicked,  ONE WEEK!  One week until I see you!  YES!

Dear head,  you must stop getting headaches.  Seriously, they are not fun.

Dear Sherman Alexie,  we saw you speak on Monday and it was incredibly cool.  You are an amazing writer (and comedian).