Relish is a mixture of ingredients that creates a condiment typically used as a flavoring for other food items. It can be composed of chopped vegetables or fruits and can sometimes be pickled in vinegar, sugar and salt. It can also be used as a dip with chips or crackers. A fragrant and spicy herb, dill is from the parsley family and its leaves and seeds are used for flavoring food and pickled preparations. Dill relish is a condiment that typically includes cucumbers, onions and dill seeds, along with a variety of other ingredients.
There are many different types of relish. Some of these include chutney, piccalilli, pickle relish and chow-chow. Each uses slightly different combinations of ingredients but the consistency of the final product is usually the same. Dill has a distinct flavor and this tends to override many of the other ingredients in dill relish.
Making dill relish is a fairly simple process. The ingredients are first gathered together and these can include cucumbers, onions, dill seeds and sprigs, turmeric spice and white wine vinegar. The cucumbers are chopped in a food processor and then placed in a bowl and seasoned with turmeric and salt. Water is poured over the cucumbers and they are then allowed to sit for one to two hours. The water is then drained and chopped onions are added to the mix along with the vinegar, dill seeds and sugar.
The concoction is then poured into a pan and after being brought to a boil, it is allowed to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. At this point the dill relish is typically bottled in pickling jars. If the relish is left in a bowl it can be covered and placed in the refrigerator for 24 hours. The dill relish is usually allowed to sit at room temperature and then garnished with dill sprigs before serving.
Dill has been used as a cooking spice for thousands of years and has actually been mentioned in ancient medical books. It is rich in calcium, magnesium and iron and is thought to aid in digestion. It can also be used for its antiseptic properties on cuts and wounds. Dill may also help with bladder infections and is rumored to cure bad breath and even hiccups. Relish has been around for hundreds of years in one form or another, and with all the purported health benefits of the plant, dill relish may have been included on the menu as well.