I've had Blackies relish and I'm sure it contains eggplant. That might be the reason no one can figure it out. Not many people eat eggplant.

Carol, not sure about the eggplant being added to the recipe, but that said Waterbury and the local areas eat lots of eggplant. The Brass City and surrounding towns were predominantly Italian and Irish when Blackies came to be in the late 1920s, just outside the Waterbury town line. We Italians eat lots of eggplant :)

Sorry to disappoint you Ms. Carol, PA: I know firsthand that there is NO eggplant in Blackies Relish.

I have read the label, no eggplant.

This is the kind of relish that is made all over the Greater Waterbury CT area. I just made a small batch of this as a test. The heat was good for me but I think I will dial back the sugar and cinnamon the next time. I don't know what method the poster used to "Grind" the peppers an onion. I used a knife and I think I went to fine. When I make a full batch I will use a food processor.

What hot peppers did you all use?

I was handed down Blackies recipe from my grandmother. This is not it and no there is no eggplant in it.

My dad the bus driver around that area also got the recipe. This is NOT IT!

Hi Gina, My name is Andrew Meyer, I grew up in Southbury and my father took me to Blackies all the time, we would go on the way to Lowes when we were remodeling my house on lake Zoar. I live in Clearwater FL going on 16 years now and own a mobile kitchen and do events. I am not asking for the recipe but can you give a general idea of what ingredients are in it? Not quantities just a general idea so I can make up my own recipe. If not I totally understand. My father was president of the Southbury historical society for many years but he recently passed away due to dementia. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Andrew

Please enlighten me.. I grew up down the road from Blackies. I would love to be able to can for my family.

What is your recipe? I would love to have it.

Then you have the wrong recipe.

The hot dogs are not as good, the relish is not the same I have been eating them for 70 years many people agree with me never thought I would go to Frankie's but they are still the same.

No eggplant, ever. Italian long peppers (cow horn), mix of green and red cloves. We use a food mill and run huge quantities into a 55 gallon food safe drum, and stir with a boat oar.

The 2 lbs of hot peppers need to be Hot cherry peppers and the allspice needs to be ground cloves and no cider vinegar ever it is just white vinegar. Onions have to be sweet onions to work correctly with the Hot cherry peppers.. Have used the recipe since the mid 70's

You all are crazy. There is definitely eggplant in the original recipe. I used to make it every year with people from the Waterbury fire department.