Holiday Relish as Party Fare : Confetti Combination of Raisin Fresh Fruit, Sweet Red Pepper

Making such traditional but laborious Christmas gifts as fruitcakes, cookies and preserves isn’t always possible--especially with today’s busy life styles. But these jars of colorful Raisin Winter Fruit Relish, a confetti combination of raisins, fresh fruit and sweet red pepper, are a time-saving alternative.

Serve the relish as an accompaniment to typical holiday party fare like ham, roasted meat and poultry. The relish takes about 10 minutes to prepare. No processing or canning is required. The relish can be stored in the refrigerator about one month.

RAISIN WINTER FRUIT RELISH

2 cups vinegar

2 cups sugar

2 cups raisins

2 cups golden raisins

1/3 cup coarsely chopped candied ginger

1 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper flakes

4 cups peeled, cored and diced pears or tart apples

1 cup diced sweet red pepper

Combine vinegar and sugar in Dutch oven. Add raisins, ginger and pepper flakes. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Mix in pears and red pepper. Return to boil, then simmer 5 minutes. Spoon into jars and cool. Store in refrigerator. Drain and serve with meats, poultry and cheeses. Makes about 8 cups.

Note: Instead of refrigerating, relish may be processed in hot water bath according to canning jar manufacturer’s instructions. Allow 10 minutes for half-pint jars, 15 minutes for pints.