Farmhouse Red Relish

Farmhouse Red Relish by Stonewall Kitchen, red and tart

Farmhouse Red Relish by Stonewall Kitchen is a chunky relish made from red bell peppers, onions, and white wine vinegar, bright red and distinctly tart. Less sugar than in a chutney makes it light, and the pieces remain palpable instead of breaking down into a mash.

Farmhouse Red Relish is the fruity, tart pepper relish from Stonewall Kitchen in York on the coast of Maine, made for burgers, hot dogs, and anything off the grill. Red bell peppers lead the ingredient list, followed by onions, sugar, and white wine vinegar, while the heat remains a mere suggestion.

Bright red, chunky, with lively acidity

It glows deep red in the jar, distinctly chunky, with visible pieces of vegetables in a clear, glossy brine. Upon opening, the scent of vinegar and cooked vegetables rises, friendly and clear, without the sweetness of a fruit spread.

The red bell pepper provides mild fruitiness, onions add a savory depth underneath, and the white wine vinegar keeps everything fresh and bright. Sugar is only the fourth ingredient, which is why it tastes tart rather than sweet, more like pickled vegetables than jam. Those who taste carefully will find a small, warm hint of heat behind the acidity.

The pieces remain loosely separated, and the spoon lifts them out individually.

The relish for burgers, hot dogs, and cheese boards

Its color looks good wherever freshness and acidity are called for.

Burgers and hot dogs wear it just as well as grilled steak, chicken, or fish, and it stands as a fresh counterpoint alongside cold roasts. On a cheese board, it adds a tart note next to mild soft cheese, and it does the same job in a sandwich or as a dip for toasted bread.

Stir a spoonful into cream cheese or a vinaigrette to give both color and bite. It also goes better with scrambled eggs in the morning than one might expect. For a bratwurst off the grill or roasted corn on the cob, it provides the acidity that cuts through the heaviness of the fat.

What distinguishes a relish from a chutney

In English, the word "relish" implies a seasoning or condiment.

In American country cooking, the term refers to finely chopped vegetables that are pickled in vinegar and only cooked briefly. A chutney is allowed to simmer long and sweet until the fruit breaks down softly; a relish stays in the pot for a short time and therefore retains its bite and color. This is exactly how you recognize it on the spoon. On the farms of New England, this was long the way to bring the summer's surplus through the winter.

Stonewall Kitchen offers the pair in red and green, one fruity and round, the other cucumber-fresh. This is how Stonewall Kitchen has placed two colors and two characters side by side on the shelf.

Color among the brown sauces

Next to the steak on the grill lies a dollop of bright red, and the jar smells sweet and tart to match. Fruity, savory, a little bit spicy: this is how even heavy meat gets a bright note. Once opened, it belongs in the refrigerator and will stay crisp for several weeks. If you are hosting many guests, place it right on the table so everyone can help themselves.

It gets cucumber-like and greener with the Farmhouse Green Relish. Both can be found under Relish and Salsa, alongside the Stonewall Kitchen assortment.