Delicious Chow Chow Relish Recipe: Easy Homemade

chow chow relish recipe Growing up in the South, chow chow relish was a big hit at our family gatherings. Its tangy and sweet flavors brought comfort and nostalgia. Now, as an adult, I love making this relish in my kitchen to share with my family.

If you’re excited to try this recipe, let’s dive into the world of homemade chow chow relish together.

The Difference Between Chow Chow and Piccalilli

Chow chow and piccalilli share some traits but differ in taste. Piccalilli has a bolder flavor, often with red pepper flakes or hot spices. This makes it spicier.

Chow chow, on the other hand, is milder and sweeter. It focuses on the natural tastes of the vegetables. Its crunchy texture is a key feature, unlike piccalilli’s softer consistency.

Whether you like the bold taste of piccalilli or the gentle charm of chow chow, both add a unique flavor to dishes. They’re great in chow chow pickles, green tomato relish, and mustard relish. Their flavors and ability to be canned make them a favorite for canning recipes and preserving seasonal produce.

Ingredients for the Perfect Chow Chow Relish Recipe

Making the perfect chow chow relish starts with the right mix of ingredients. This tasty vegetable relish combines green tomatoes, sweet onions, bell peppers, green cabbage, and a tasty brine. Let’s look at the main parts that make this condiment so great.

Key Ingredients

• Green Tomatoes: The base of chow chow, green tomatoes give a tart and firm texture. They prepare the stage for the other tastes.
• Sweet Onions: Onions add a gentle sweetness and crunch. They balance the green tomatoes’ acidity.
• Bell Peppers: A mix of colorful bell peppers, like red, green, and yellow, add vibrant colors and a crunchy, slightly sweet taste.
• Green Cabbage: Shredded green cabbage adds more crunch and texture to the relish.
• Pickling Salt: This key ingredient ensures the perfect seasoning and helps preserve the relish.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: The tangy apple cider vinegar gives the relish its unique chow chow flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: A bit of sugar balances the acidity and brings out the natural sweetness of the veggies.
• Mustard Seed: Mustard seed adds a subtle peppery flavor and thickens the relish’s consistency.
• Celery Seed: Celery seed adds a unique, earthy taste that complements the other ingredients.

These simple, easy-to-find ingredients come together to make a delicious and versatile chow chow relish. It’s perfect for many uses.

Preparing the Chow Chow Relish Recipe

Making the perfect chow chow recipe is a fun process. It lets you create a tasty, homemade vegetable relish. Start by getting your fresh ingredients – green tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cabbage. Chop or process them into a fine texture, making sure they’re even.

Then, put the chopped veggies in a big bowl and add pickling salt. Cover it and chill it in the fridge overnight. This step helps remove extra moisture, getting the veggies ready for pickling.

1. Chop or process the green tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cabbage into a fine, relish-like texture.
2. Mix the chopped vegetables with pickling salt, cover, and refrigerate overnight to draw out excess moisture.
3. Drain the vegetables and combine them with vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, and celery seed.
4. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, then ladle the hot chow chow into jars.
5. Allow the jars to cool, then store the homemade condiments in the refrigerator.

The next day, drain the veggies and mix them with vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, and celery seed. Simmer this mix for 10 minutes. Then, fill the hot chow chow into jars. Let the jars cool down, and then keep your tasty pickling recipes in the fridge.

The key to a successful chow chow recipe is patience and attention to detail during the preparation process.

Chow Chow Relish Recipe

Explore the world of chow chow relish, a favorite in the South. It’s a mix of tangy, sweet, and crunchy flavors. Made with fresh veggies and spices, it’s great for canning or immediate use.

To make the best chow chow relish, pick the right ingredients. You’ll need green tomatoes, sweet onions, bell peppers in different colors, and green cabbage. Add pickling salt, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, mustard seeds, and celery seed to the mix.

1. Chop the green tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cabbage into small pieces. Then, mix them in a big bowl.
2. Put the pickling salt on top, cover it, and chill it overnight. This lets the flavors mix well.
3. The next day, drain the mix and put it in a saucepan. Add the apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, and celery seed.
4. Simmer the mix for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then. This makes the veggies tender and the flavors blend.
5. Fill clean, sterilized jars with the hot relish, leaving a 1/2-inch space at the top. Follow the jar’s sealing instructions.
6. Let the jars cool down before putting them in the fridge. This chow chow relish stays good for up to 4 months.

Enjoy this homemade condiment with grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a hot dog or burger topping. It’s perfect for any meal. This southern-style relish will impress everyone with your cooking skills.

Canning and Preserving Chow Chow Relish

Chow chow relish is a tasty southern condiment that can be canned to last longer. Canning it lets you enjoy its tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors all year. Here’s how to safely can your homemade chow chow relish.

Safe Canning Techniques

To can your chow chow relish safely, start by filling hot jars with the mixture, leaving 1/2-inch space. Clean the jar rims with a damp cloth for a tight seal. Then, put on the lids and bands, but don’t overdo it.

Next, put the jars in a boiling water bath canner for the right time, depending on your altitude. This step seals the jars and keeps your chow chow fresh for up to 4 months in a cool, dark spot.

It’s key to follow these safe canning techniques to keep your homemade canning recipes good. Sterilizing jars, setting the right headspace, and following processing times are vital for preserving chow chow safely.

“Canning your chow chow relish is a great way to savor the flavors of the season all year round. With a little attention to detail, you can create a delicious and shelf-stable condiment that will complement a variety of dishes.”

For the best taste, use clean, top-notch home canning gear and follow the suggested processing times for your area. By doing these important steps, you can enjoy your perfect chow chow relish all year.

Serving Suggestions for Chow Chow Relish

Chow chow relish is a versatile condiment that can elevate a variety of dishes. It’s perfect for adding a tangy and crunchy twist to hot dogs and hamburgers. It’s also great for creating a flavorful appetizer.

One of the most popular ways to enjoy chow chow relish is as a topping for hot dogs and burgers. Its bold flavors and textural contrast complement the savory, grilled meats perfectly. Try spreading it on barbecue pulled pork or brisket for a tangy and satisfying bite.

Beyond its use as a condiment, chow chow relish can also serve as a tasty dip or spread. Pair it with crackers or crostini for a quick and easy appetizer that’s sure to impress your guests. The relish’s crunchy texture and bright acidity make it a wonderful companion to creamy dips like avocado crema or tangy cheese spreads.

In addition to its versatility as a topping and dip, chow chow relish is also a fantastic addition to soups, stews, and bean dishes. Its bold flavors can enhance the overall taste and texture of these hearty meals. It adds a delightful layer of complexity to your favorite comfort foods.

“Chow chow relish is the unsung hero of the condiment world, elevating everything it touches with its tangy, crunchy goodness.”

No matter how you choose to enjoy it, this homemade chow chow relish is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. It adds a burst of flavor to a wide range of dishes. It elevates your culinary creations to new heights.

Canning and Preserving Chow Chow Relish

Safe Canning Techniques

Preserving your homemade chow chow relish through canning is a great way to enjoy it all year. To keep your canned chow chow safe and tasty, follow proper canning techniques.

First, prepare your chow chow recipe. Then, ladle the hot mixture into sterilized jars, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Clean the jar rims, apply the lids and bands, and process the jars in a boiling water bath canner for the recommended time.

By following these safe canning practices, you’ll have shelf-stable chow chow relish for up to 4 months. Proper canning is key to keeping your homemade canning recipes and preserving chow chow delicious.

“Canning is a fantastic method for home canning and food preservation of your favorite relish recipes.”

When canning chow chow, use the right equipment. This includes a water bath canner, jars with new lids and bands, and a jar lifter. Sterilize all supplies before use to ensure your canning recipes are safe.

With a little care and attention to detail, you can enjoy your homemade chow chow relish all year. The magic of home canning and food preservation makes it possible.

The History and Tradition of Chow Chow Relish

Chow Chow relish comes from the Southern United States. It started as a way to keep end-of-season veggies, like green tomatoes, fresh. Families have shared their own twist on this Southern favorite for years.

This relish is loved for its tangy-sweet taste and crunchy feel. It’s a key part of Southern meals. It connects people to their food heritage and the tradition of saving the harvest.

Chow Chow’s roots go back to the Acadian people in Louisiana and Chinese railroad workers in the 19th century. It was first called “piccalilli” and “Indian pickle” in early Southern cookbooks. Today, each region in the South has its own version, with different tastes and ingredients.

Making Chow Chow involves salting and simmering chopped veggies in a brine. Then, it’s jarred or canned to keep it fresh. This hard work has been a Southern tradition for many years, with recipes passed down through generations.

“I learned to make Chow Chow at a young age and eventually took over the process, selling thousands of jars yearly at our family’s produce stand. Even after the stand closed, people would still approach me, remembering the taste of our homemade Chow Chow.”

Chow Chow is still a beloved part of Southern food. As stores sell less of it, homemade versions keep the tradition alive. They preserve the history and flavors of chow chow origins, southern food traditions, condiment history, and vintage recipes.

Conclusion

Chow Chow relish is a tasty and versatile condiment that honors the American South’s rich culinary heritage. This easy recipe lets you keep the flavors of the harvest alive all year. It’s perfect for hot dogs, sandwiches, or as a special appetizer.

By following simple steps and safe canning methods, you can make a batch of Chow Chow. It captures the essence of the South and adds a touch of southern traditions to your meals. It’s packed with fresh veggies, spices, and a sweet-tangy mix.

Let the charm of this classic Southern relish enhance your favorite dishes. It’s great on burgers, adds zest to salads, or as a unique appetizer. Enjoy the taste of tradition with every bite of your homemade Chow Chow relish.

Chow Chow Relish Recipe

Chow chow relish is a tangy and sweet condiment originating from the South, perfect for enhancing various dishes. This homemade relish combines fresh vegetables and spices to create a crunchy, flavorful addition to your meals.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 4 pint jars

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups green tomatoes finely chopped
• 1 cup sweet onions finely chopped
• 1 cup bell peppers mixed colors, finely chopped
• 1 cup green cabbage shredded
• 1/4 cup pickling salt
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Vegetables:
• Finely chop the green tomatoes, sweet onions, bell peppers, and shred the green cabbage.
• Salt the Vegetables:
• In a large bowl, combine the chopped vegetables with pickling salt. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight to draw out excess moisture.
• Combine Ingredients:
• The next day, drain the vegetables and place them in a large saucepan. Add the apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, mustard seeds, and celery seeds.
• Simmer the Mixture:
• Heat the mixture over medium heat, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and let it cook for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the flavors are well combined.
• Jar the Relish:
• Fill clean, sterilized jars with the hot chow chow relish, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to ensure a tight seal.
• Seal and Cool:
• Apply the lids and bands to the jars. Allow the jars to cool to room temperature before transferring them to the refrigerator for storage.

Notes

• Storage: The chow chow relish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 months. For long-term storage, follow proper canning techniques (see section below).
• Flavor Enhancement: For a spicier kick, consider adding red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the mixture during the simmering step.