Relish is a very popular condiment in Ireland! This is a cooked preparation made from vegetables and spices. It is generally used to enhance the taste of meat, potatoes or starches. The taste is often sweet and salty, with a slightly spicy or vinegary tendency.
Relish closely resembles chutney (which has Indian origins), another preparation also popular on the island of Ireland. You can recognize it by the visible pieces of vegetable. The latter are often marinated or stewed over a long period, giving them a melting texture and an extremely concentrated taste.
There are as many relishes as there are Irish people! Some are based on vinegar, tomatoes, onions and grapes… while others use herbs, cucumbers, peppers… etc.
It’s all a question of taste and imagination!
Relish is generally used with meat, fish or vegetables. It’s all about taste and flavour! The equivalent of ketchup, Irish relish is ideal for enhancing Irish breakfast sausages, potatoes, French fries, fish, sandwiches, cheddar cheese…
In short, this is a universal condiment that can be used to enhance any dish, without limit! Its sweet and savoury flavour adds an extra dimension to the ingredients, revealing them with even more gourmandise!
Among the leading brands, Ballymaloe’s relish, made with tomato, vinegar and grapes, is a delight! It’s a basic ingredient you’ll find on most Irish tables, right up there with ketchup, mayo or barbecue sauce!
It’s readily available in most Irish supermarkets and grocery stores. Count on less than €5 for a bottle or jar of relish. Keep refrigerated for 6 months after opening!
Don’t hesitate to try it, for a better understanding of Irish flavours and their delicate taste! This condiment could well be addictive, and introduce you to a new way to spice up your dishes!
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