Green Tomatoes: Chow Chow – Pickled Relish

Chow Chow Relish_Green Tomatoes

I confess that even though I lived in the South (Austin, Texas) for several years and am married to a brotha, I’d never eaten chow chow until last summer. Chow chow, also called “cha cha” or “piccalilly” in some parts, is a pickled relish of chopped vegetables that has its origins in Southern fare and Soul Food. As with the name, there are many variations of the relish but nearly all contain green tomatoes, cabbage, onions and peppers.

All you gardeners, who salvaged your summer veggies before the freeze and now have green tomatoes laying about willy-nilly, should give this recipe a go.

For this recipe, I got some direction from my friend Tony, a man of many talents – artist, athlete, handy-man and cook. He graciously shared a recipe and some of his chow chow. His version is greener, in line with tradition, and it’s sweet (think Southern sweet tea sweet) especially when eaten alone. But, on a burger, it’s delish and a good addition in a marinade for grilled chicken, because the sugar caramelizes nicely.

My version, adapted from Tony’s, is spicier, less sweet and has a reddish hue (I used my garden bounty – red cabbage and more red and yellow bell peppers). It also  has a bit of a  “wang” because I used Thai and serrano chiles from my garden. Next time I have a hankering for a pickled relish – I’ve got my own.

Tidbits on Green Tomatoes:

  1. Tomatoes and other nightshade plants like eggplants were grown on Southern plantations decades before acceptance in other colonies or England, according to The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America.
  2. There’s some debate about the origins of the name “chow chow,” some say it comes from the Mandarin Chinese word cha, which means mixed, and dates back to the 1840s when Chinese laborers worked the railroads in the American West. And, others say it is derived from the French word for cabbage, chou.

Combo Image - Raw _ Stewing Ingredients

Jarred Chow Chow_ Chow Chow Variations

This version makes a much smaller quantity than traditional recipes and is perfect for refrigerator pickling, bypassing the whole canning process. I used the food processor to shred the veggies and the relish is finer, next time I would dice the peppers and onions by hand.

Chow Chow
Makes 3 Pints

1/2 head small cabbage, cored and shredded

4 large hard green tomatoes, chopped

3 green peppers, chopped

3 red or yellow peppers, chopped

2 medium onions, chopped

1/2 cup chiles, diced small, optional

1/3 cup salt

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 tbsp celery seed

1 tablespoon mustard seed

1 teaspoon turmeric

2 cups apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

Method

  1. Chop all the vegetables. If doing by hand, dice small. A food processor can speed the process but will extract more liquid from the vegetables and make for a runnier relish. Note: the size of the dice will make a finer or chunkier relish. The chopped vegetables should equal about 2 1/2 quarts.
  2. In a non-reactive bowl, mix the chopped vegetables with the salt. Cover and let sit at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for about 12 hours or overnight. In a colander, drain and rinse vegetables. Squeeze to remove excess liquid.
  3. In a non-reactive pot, bring the vinegar, sugars, turmeric, celery and mustard seeds to a boil. Add the drained vegetables and return to a boil again. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes; stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Use hot or cold to dress burgers, brawts, beans, sandwiches, roasted meats or in a marinade. Like most things pickled, it’ll be better after it sits a day or two and should keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

Variations

Tony’s Chow Chow:   for a sweeter and greener relish (see picture above), use additional 3/4 cup brown sugar and 3/4 cup regular sugar; use green cabbage and replace a red bell pepper with a green one.

Spicy:  for a milder bite try jalapenos without the seeds; for hotter, leave the seeds and use serranos or the ultra hot habanero.

Vegetables:   other versions use zucchini, celery, cauliflower, cucumbers, asparagus, corn, etc. It’s up to you; just watch the ratio of chopped veggies to vinegar particularly if you plan to can.

Canning:   follow canning process and after the chow chow has simmered, ladle into hot, sterilized pint jars, cover with new two-piece lids, and process 15 minutes in a boiling bath.

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Print & If you liked this post, please share:
  • Print
  • email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

18 Responses to Green Tomatoes: Chow Chow – Pickled Relish

  1. Roger Fletcher says:

    My Mom, originally from Mississippi, had a chow chow receipt that we always used as a garnish for greens, and hotdogs. Her chow chow was deep green in color and I would love to buy a jar of yours?

  2. Sorry Roger. The batch I made this year was small and they are designated as gifts. But, very glad to hear you’re up for giving red chow chow a go.

  3. Jan Thomas says:

    Thank you! I needed a recipe for our garden veggies. (Thanks for the eggplant recipe as well.)

  4. Lea Ann says:

    I have GOT to give this a try. I’ve not taken any time to Google chow chow recipes and love that you’ve made it.

  5. Yes. I only wish I had made more – at least a double batch. Folks keep hinting at taking my reserves.

  6. anita Hadley says:

    does anybody have recipe for 10 lb green tomato relish

  7. Annie says:

    I would like a recipe for chowchow that containes ,cabbage,tomatoes,onions,hot peppers,vinger,cloves,I don’t know how much,or how long to cook it .any suggestions,please help

  8. Tena D. says:

    I have been looking for this recipe for some time. i remember the chow chow well. We used it for all our green veg dishes, and what a wonderful flavor. Thanks for the recipe – making mine this weekend from my garden left overs before the frost.

  9. Chris Toles says:

    I have also been searching for this for a very long time. My granny used to keep chow chow stocked but it was a green base; no recipe was left behind. We sprinkled the sauce/juice over peas, greens, and other veggies. Maybe the green one was Mississippi exclusive. Do you have knowledge of this one? Thanks for the red one. I will definitely “hook it up”. :)

  10. Jennifer says:

    I’m comparing this to another chow chow recipe, I saw last week in the NY Times, for a Super Bowl Party. The one I’m trying calls for chayote squash. I don’t know if you peel it or not. can’t wait to try the end product with my pulled pork! I’m excited to find your blog- as I too am from a small town in Nebraska!

  11. simply click the up coming web site…

    Green Tomatoes: Chow Chow – Pickled Relish | Fork Fingers Chopsticks…

  12. Fake Oakley Froskins…

    What a funny blog! I actually loved watching this humorous video with my relatives as well as including my friends….

  13. Jo Hawkins says:

    Found this recipe to be just perfect for any dinner….

  14. Amazing! Its truly amazing piece of writing, I have got much clear idea concerning from this piece of writing.

  15. phen375 says:

    phen375…

    Green Tomatoes: Chow Chow – Pickled Relish | Fork Fingers Chopsticks…

  16. FAYE Bize says:

    Try this a week ago made 3 jars not enough so…alot of green tomatoes will make alot more for my.home and as gifts for Holidays Very Very good and easy to follow reciepe Thank u

  17. Samuel says:

    TV SHOW TV SHOW TV SHOW TV SHOW!! im not letting up!! serlousiy lady, not only do you whip up the most amazing, mouth watering meals, but look so fashionista doing it! how is it possible!! if i didnt know you i would not only want to watch you create fabulous meals that i too could learn to make, but i’d want to see your home decor and outfit in the process! job well done mrs. cuisinerd!! xoxooxox

Post Your Comment