Quick Pickled Zucchini Or Yellow Squash Or Onion Or Bell Pepper Recipes

QUICK PICKLED ZUCCHINI RECIPE

Steps:

• Steam sterilize your clean jar: fill it with 1 cup boiling water, cover with lid and swirl boiling hot water inside the jar (use oven mitts to hold the jar and swish carefully so you don't burn your hands or drop the jar (do it over the sink; just in case). Drain the water completely.
• In the bottom of your clean jar, add 3 halved cloves of garlic, 2-3 bay leaves, and 6-8 peppercorns.
• Slice zucchini into 1/3" thick rings, discard the ends. Layer zucchini slices tightly, sprinkling dill and parsley between each layer. Pack the zucchini down with a clean cooking utensil if needed. Top with any remaining dill and parsley.
• Combine all of your marinade ingredients and stir until sugar and salt are dissolved. Carefully pour the hot syrup over the layered zucchini.
• Cover tightly with lid and let the jar cool to room temperature on the counter then refrigerate overnight. From the time you pour in the water, it should marinate a minimum of 12 hours. Stays good in the fridge for 5-7 days.

BATTER FRIED ZUCCHINI OR SQUASH

Steps:

• Clean and cut up zucchini/squash. I like to cut them into sticks rather than slices because that shape fries more evenly in deep fat without need of turning.
• Pre-heat oven to 250.
• Prepare an oven-proof pan by lining it with several paper towels.
• Either heat your deep fryer to the temperature recommended for fried squash in its manual or heat 2 inches of frying grease (I prefer a 50-50 mix of oil and shortening), in your preferred, stove-top, frying utensil -- mine is a cast iron chicken fryer -- until a drop of water thrown into the grease sizzles vigorously but not violently.
• While the grease is heating beat the egg in a shallow bowl. Beat in the milk, seasonings, and finally the flour. The batter will be thin and may have a few lumps.
• Toss a skillet's worth of squash sticks in the batter and coat thoroughly.
• When the grease is ready carefully drop in the battered sticks, being sure not to drop them right on top of each other. If you are in doubt of your ability to do this without burning yourself use tongs.
• Yes, the thin batter will have drippy bits that dangle from the sticks and there will be a lot of little, batter crispies in the grease. The drippy bits are what makes this batter light and crisp where a thicker batter might be heavy.
• If necessary turn the pieces over partway through so as to brown them evenly.
• When nicely brown transfer the sticks to the prepared pan and put them into the oven while you fry the next batch. Do not try to fry too much at once or the temperature of the grease will drop and the coating will end up soggy and greasy.
• When the squash is done serve with grated Parmesan at the table.
• Some people might like ranch or blue cheese dressing instead or a simple dipping sauce made from sour cream, fresh dill, and a bit of lemon juice to thin it.
• This recipe doubles nicely. But if you need more than that I suggest making separate, additional batches since the rising power fades after long sitting.
• Leftovers can be reheated on a baking sheet in a 450 degree oven. The microwave would make them soggy and unpleasant.
• This batter is also good on eggplant, onion rings, and chicken tenders.
• Note: If you do not keep self-rising flour in the house you can use 1 cup all-purpose flour mixed with 1tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt instead.

PICKLED SQUASH

Steps:

• In a large non-aluminum pot, combine the squash, bell pepper, and onions. Cover with salt, and let stand for 2 hours to release the liquids. Stir occasionally.
• Just before the 2 hours are up, combine the sugar, vinegar, mustard seed, turmeric and celery seed in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Drain the salty liquid from the vegetables. Pour the spice brine over the vegetables, and let stand for 2 more hours.
• Bring to a boil once again, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Ladle into 1 pint sterile jars, filling with the liquid to within 1/4 inch of the top. Wipe rims with a clean towel, and run a thin spatula around the inside of the jar to remove air bubbles. Seal with lids and rings. Process for 10 minutes in a simmering water bath to seal completely.

QUICK PICKLED ZUCCHINI OR YELLOW SQUASH OR ONION OR BELL PEPPER

Steps:

• Mix sugar, salt, vinegar and chosen spice.
• Add zucchini (or other veggies). Be sure veggies are covered, if not adjust.
• Let the flavors develop for at least 3 hours in the fridge.
• This keeps very well in the fridge.
• If you are doing a big batch, consider freezing after the 3 hours.
• If you do a bunch of small zip locks or container you will be able to take just enough out at one time.
• If in zip locks, you can lay them out to freeze and then put a bunch in a larger zip lock for easy handling in the freezer.
• Remember to mark them, especially if you do a bunch of different spice mixes.
• If you make cucumbers, test freeze them. I am not sure they would freeze well.

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER ZUCCHINI & YELLOW SQUASH

Steps:

• Combine the first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper; toss well.
• Place in ungreased 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan and bake uncovered for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Remove the vegetables from oven and toss with the vinegar, pine nuts, and basil; serve at once.