Traditional Homemade Chow Chow

Name: Traditional Homemade Chow Chow
Prep time: 4 h
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 3 lbs green tomatoes; 1 lb green bell peppers; 1 lb red bell peppers; 1 lb onions; 1/2 cup salt; 2 cups white sugar; 2 cups cider vinegar; 1 tbsp mustard seeds; 1 tbsp celery seeds; 1 tsp turmeric; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

🕒 Prep: 4 hours

🔥 Cook: 30 min

🍽 Serves: 8

★★★★★

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This Traditional Homemade Chow Chow recipe captures the essence of Southern comfort in a jar. It's a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy relish that adds a burst of flavor to almost any dish. Perfect for preserving the garden's bounty, it’s a must-try for pickle lovers!

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Ingredients for Traditional Homemade Chow Chow

Green tomatoes form the base of the chow chow, providing a tart flavor and firm texture. Green bell peppers and red bell peppers add sweetness and a pop of color. Onions bring depth and a hint of sharpness. Salt is crucial for drawing out moisture and intensifying flavors overnight. The combination of white sugar and cider vinegar delivers the classic sweet and tangy profile. Mustard seeds and celery seeds add warmth and earthiness, while turmeric brings a subtle hint of bitterness and a beautiful yellow hue. A touch of ground ginger and red pepper flakes provides a gentle heat that rounds out the flavor.

Tips & Tricks

Ensure a tight seal by checking each jar's lid for any popping after cooling.
Use a food processor for quicker chopping if you’re making a large batch.
Adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.

Serving Suggestions

Chow chow is incredibly versatile. Spoon it over grilled meats or mix it into potato salad for an extra zing. Pair it with cheese and crackers for an easy appetizer, or slather it on sandwiches and burgers for a tangy twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other types of peppers?: Yes, feel free to experiment with different peppers for varying levels of sweetness and heat.
How long does chow chow last?: Properly sealed and stored in a cool, dark place, it can last up to a year.
Is there a way to make it less sweet?: You can reduce the amount of sugar to suit your taste, but it might alter the preservation quality slightly.

Traditional Homemade Chow Chow Recipe Walkthrough

Begin by finely chopping the green tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions. Aim for uniform pieces to ensure even flavor distribution. Place all the chopped veggies in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt. Let this mixture sit overnight; this step is key as the salt draws out excess moisture, concentrating the flavors.

The next day, drain the salted vegetables and rinse them thoroughly under cold water. This removes the excess salt, leaving behind perfectly seasoned veggies. In a large pot, combine sugar, cider vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Bring this mixture to a boil to dissolve the sugar and meld the spices.

Add the drained vegetables to the pot and bring everything back to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. While it's simmering, prepare your jars by sterilizing them—this is crucial for safe preservation.

When your chow chow is ready, carefully ladle the hot mixture into the sterilized jars, leaving about a 1/2-inch headspace at the top. Seal the jars immediately and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure a proper seal and longer shelf life.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's a perfect way to use up end-of-season vegetables.
The tangy-sweet-spicy balance is irresistible.
Homemade, fresh, and free from preservatives.
Great for gifting and sharing with friends and family.

Ingredients

3 lbs green tomatoes

1 lb green bell peppers

1 lb red bell peppers

1 lb onions

1/2 cup salt

2 cups white sugar

2 cups cider vinegar

1 tbsp mustard seeds

1 tbsp celery seeds

1 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Finely chop the green tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions.

2. Place the chopped vegetables in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let sit overnight.

3. The next day, drain the vegetables and rinse them well under cold water.

4. In a large pot, combine the sugar, cider vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil.

5. Add the drained vegetables to the pot and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Ladle the hot chow chow into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal immediately.

7. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

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