Southern Chow Chow
Chow chow is a relish made from green tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and bell peppers. It was started as a way to utilize those unripened tomatoes after frost started. Chow chow is sometimes confused with piccalilli which is another style of relish but with more of a variety of vegetables. It is suggested chow-chow originates from the French word Chou for cabbage. This relish is great on anything savory such as burgers, hot dogs, mixed into fried rice for a southern twist, or topped onto a southern corn salad.
Servings:
20
yield(s)
Prep Time:
25
mins
Cook Time:
25
mins
Total Time:
50
mins
Ingredients
-
1
head of green cabbage
(shredded)
-
5
green tomaotes
(diced)
-
3
tri-colored bell peppers
(diced)
-
1
whole onion
(diced, any variety but red works best)
-
3
cup
brown sugar
(white sugar works too)
-
4
cup
vinegar
(apple cider or distilled white)
-
1
tsp
mustard powder
-
3
tsp
mustard seeds
-
1
tsp
ground cloves
-
1
tsp
ground pepper
-
1
tsp
turmeric
-
1
tsp
cayenne pepper
(adjust for personal spice preference)
-
1 1/2
tsp
smoked paprika
-
1
tsp
garlic powder
-
1
tsp
onion powder
-
2
tsp
cajun spice
-
1/4
cup
celery salt
Instructions
-
Chop and dice all vegetables
-
Place in a large mixing bowl - avoid aluminum
Sprinkle with the salt and gently combine
-
Cover and let sit at least 4 hrs, overnight is best and preferred
-
Drain the salt water from the vegetables
Rinse well then drain
-
Combine the rest of the ingredients in a saucepan
-
Simmer about 10 mins - uncovered
It will start to cook down and as the sugar dissolves should become thicker
-
Add in the rinsed veggies
Simmer for about 10 mins or until veggies are tender
-
Pack into jars leaving about ¼ inch of room at the top
Gently tap the jar to release any air bubbles
Let cool to room temp.
-
Once it has cool serve immediately or seal the jars for later use.
-
This recipe filled two 32 oz mason canning jars. Each jar has about 10 servings. Stored in a chilled place will last up 4-6 weeks.