Chow chow is a traditional Southern relish that has been gracing pantries and dinner tables for generations. This tangy, slightly sweet, and irresistibly flavorful condiment is perfect for adding a burst of freshness to a wide variety of dishes. Made primarily with green tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cabbage, chow chow is a fantastic way to preserve the last of your summer garden bounty. Whether you’re topping it on beans, adding it to your favorite sandwiches, or mixing it into dips, this versatile relish is sure to become a household staple. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to make and preserve your own chow chow relish with ease.
What is Chow Chow Relish?
Chow chow is a classic Southern-style relish that features a medley of finely chopped vegetables, typically made from the produce of late summer. The main ingredient is often green tomatoes, but it can include a variety of other vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and cabbage. The relish is pickled in a vinegar-based brine, giving it a distinctive tangy flavor, which can be customized depending on your taste preferences.
The beauty of chow chow lies in its flexibility. You can adjust the ingredients to suit what you have on hand, making it the perfect way to minimize food waste and get the most out of your garden harvest.
Key Ingredients for Chow Chow Relish
While there are numerous variations of chow chow across different regions, a few key ingredients remain consistent. Here’s what you’ll need to create a traditional Southern-style chow chow relish:
- Green tomatoes – The star ingredient, providing a tangy bite.
- Onions – Adds a sharp, sweet flavor.
- Bell peppers – For color and sweetness, use a mix of red, yellow, and green.
- Cabbage – Brings texture and a slight sweetness.
- Vinegar – Typically white vinegar for its clean, tangy taste.
- Sugar – Balances the acidity of the vinegar, with room for adjustments based on your preference.
- Mustard seeds and celery seed – These spices provide warmth and depth to the relish.
Chow Chow Recipe Variations
The traditional chow chow recipe is highly customizable. Depending on what you have available or your flavor preferences, you can tweak the recipe in several ways:
- Substitute bell peppers: Use corn for a sweeter relish or add jalapeños for some heat.
- Add garlic: For extra pungency, try adding 1-2 cloves of minced garlic.
- Experiment with spices: Incorporate spices like turmeric or cumin for additional layers of flavor.
- Sweeten it up: Swap out white sugar for brown sugar to give the relish a deeper, molasses-like sweetness.
Ingredients what you need
- 6 large green tomatoes (about 3 pounds)
- 3 medium yellow or white onions
- 3 medium red, yellow, or orange bell peppers (or a mix)
- 1 large green bell pepper
- 1/2 medium head cabbage (about 4 cups after chopping)
- 1/4 cup sea salt, pickling salt, or kosher salt
- 3 1/2 cups white vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground celery, celery flakes, or celery seed
How to Make Chow Chow Relish
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
To start, gather your green tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cabbage. Begin by thoroughly washing all your vegetables to ensure they’re clean and free of any dirt.
- Green tomatoes: Core and quarter the tomatoes.
- Onions: Peel and quarter the onions.
- Bell peppers: Stem, seed, and quarter the peppers.
- Cabbage: Remove the core and quarter the cabbage.
Using either a food processor or a hand-crank food mill, finely chop all the vegetables into small, uniform pieces. Be careful not to over-process, as you want small bits rather than a puree.
Step 2: Salt and Chill
Once your vegetables are chopped, transfer them to a large, non-reactive bowl or pot. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of kosher salt evenly over the top of the vegetables. Using clean hands, mix everything together thoroughly to ensure the salt is well-distributed.
