This tangy relish, which packs enough flavor to play a starring role on any plate, showcases the sugary sweetness of fresh summer corn. For a light and easy supper, spoon it over Chicken Under a Skillet (page 139) or Grilled Grouper with Heirloom Tomato Salsa (page 102).

　　

Ingredients

makes about 2 1/2 pints

　　8 ears corn, shucked

　　1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced

　　1/2 small red onion, minced

　　1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

　　1/4 cup sugar

　　6 sprigs fresh thyme

　　1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

　　2 garlic cloves, smashed and minced

　　2 bay leaves

　　2 teaspoons kosher salt

　　1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

　　1/4 teaspoon mixed whole peppercorns

　　

Step 1

Cut the corn from the cobs into a large bowl using a sharp knife and scrape the stripped cobs with the back of the knife to release the juices.

　　

Step 2

Place the corn, bell pepper, onion, vinegar, sugar, thyme, ginger, garlic, bay leaves, salt, mustard seeds, and peppercorns in a saucepan, stir to mix, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook and stir for about 3 minutes, until the corn is just lightly cooked but still a little crunchy. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

　　

Step 3

Refrigerate in airtight containers until ready to serve, or for up to 1 week. Remove and discard bay leaves before serving.

　　

On the Side

Step 4

For fun and easy entertaining, use the many pickles and relishes in this chapter to put together the ultimate Southern relish tray, complete with cheese and crackers (like a sort of Southern antipasto). Here is a suggested menu to get you started: • Judy’s Pickled Squash (page 294) • Pickled Okra (page 298) or Dilly Snap Beans (page 293) • Quick Cucumber Pickles (page 287), Jimmy’s Dills (page 288), or Granny Foster’s Bread and Butter Pickles (page 290) • A scoop of Pimiento Cheese (page 18) with Rosemary Cheese Crackers (page 8) • Herb Deviled Eggs (page 10).

　　Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved.Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.