When you think about corn relish, you probably think “that’s so 1950s summertime picnic.” Well, at least that’s what I think. But retro food is making a big comeback. After all, canning and preserving is quite an old school trait in and of itself—and one that I’ve grown to love dearly.

This sweet and tangy corn relish takes you right back to the cool 1950s. The combination of red peppers and yellow corn make it both pleasing to eat and to look at. My larder shelves finally have some color besides deep reds and browns!

Want to see more canning recipes? Check out my blog Handjobs (For the Home)

Step 1: Gathering Your Ingredients

What You'll Need:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 1/2 cups diced red bell pepper (3 or 4 peppers)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
3 1/2 cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
1 3/4 cups diced red onion (1 very large onion)
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 Cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

Makes 6 half pint jars
Recipe adapted from Karen Solomon author of Can It, Bottle It, Smoke It

If you are canning this recipe, begin by sterilizing your jars in a hot water bath canner.

Step 2: Caramelizing the Red Peppers

Heat the oil in a larger preserving pot, over medium heat. Add the peppers and salt and sauté for about 12 minutes or until caramelized. You will begin to see the peppers get soft and take on a brownish coloring.

Step 3: More Veggie Cooking + Brine Boiling

Add the corn, and cook for about 3-4 minutes longer until the corn is heated throughout. Turn the heat off and add the onion to the pan. Stir well and keep covered.

For the preserving liquid, combine the vinegar, sugar, and turmeric over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until all the sugar has dissolved.

Step 4: Packing in the Goods

Pack your corn mixture into your jars until it reaches about ¾ inch of headspace. Cover with preserving liquid until it reaches ¼ inch headspace, making sure your corn is covered completely. Process in a hot water bath canner for 15 minutes, remove and let cool undisturbed for 12 hours before storing.

If you decide not to can this recipe, you can fridge it for up to 6 months!

Happy relishing!