Best 5 Chowchow Recipes
**Chowchow: A Southern Delicacy Preserved in Time**
Chowchow, a vibrant and flavorful Southern relish, has been a staple in American cuisine for generations. Originating in the early 19th century, this delectable condiment showcases a medley of crisp vegetables, including cabbage, green tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and carrots, all bathed in a tangy pickling liquid. With its origins in the Southern United States, chowchow has evolved into a diverse culinary gem with variations found across the region. This article presents a collection of three unique chowchow recipes that capture the essence of this Southern delight, each offering a distinct flavor profile to tantalize your taste buds.
**1. Classic Southern Chowchow:**
This traditional recipe embodies the authentic flavors of Southern chowchow, featuring a harmonious blend of vegetables perfectly balanced with a sweet and tangy pickling liquid. The vegetables retain their crisp texture, while the pickling liquid, infused with vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, and celery seeds, imparts a delightful tanginess that complements any dish.
**2. Spicy Chowchow:**
For those who crave a fiery kick, this spicy rendition of chowchow delivers an extra layer of heat. The addition of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper ignites the palate with a vibrant warmth, creating a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, tacos, or sandwiches. The interplay of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors in this recipe creates a captivating sensory experience.
**3. Sweet and Sour Chowchow:**
This sweet and sour variation offers a delightful balance of flavors, combining the tanginess of vinegar with the sweetness of sugar and the subtle earthiness of brown sugar. The result is a harmonious medley of flavors that complements roasted chicken, pork, or fish. The sweet and sour chowchow adds a pop of color and a burst of flavor to any dish.
Embark on a culinary journey with this trio of chowchow recipes, each capturing the essence of this Southern tradition in a unique way. Whether you prefer the classic Southern flavors, a spicy kick, or a sweet and sour symphony, these recipes will satisfy your cravings and elevate your meals to new heights.
CHOWCHOW
Steps:
- Mix together the bell peppers, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, jalapeno and salt in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Drain the liquid from the mixture.
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, toast the mustard seeds and celery seeds until they begin to pop, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar, vinegar and 1 cup water, and heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add the vegetable mixture and the crushed red pepper, mustard powder, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 1 hour.
- Allow to cool. Serve over beans and cornbread or as a relish for pulled pork or hot dogs.
GREEN TOMATO CHOWCHOW
My grandmom's long-cherished chowchow has Pennsylvania Dutch roots. Her pickled relish of cabbage, onions and peppers is tart and sweet with a smidge of spice. -Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h35m
Yield 10 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Chop tomatoes. Transfer to a strainer and sprinkle with salt; let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, chop cabbage, onions and green and red peppers. Place in a Dutch oven. Add drained tomatoes to pan and, if desired, jalapeno., Stir in vinegar and sugar. Place pickling spices on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners to enclose spices; tie securely with string. Add to pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, stirring occasionally, 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Discard spice bag. Cool to room temperature; refrigerate leftovers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 80 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 276mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.
CHOWCHOW
Canning and preserving have long been an essential tactic of survival, and chowchow is a condiment born of both ingenuity and necessity. Here, green tomatoes not yet ripe enough to eat are transformed into a bright pickled expression of the first days of summer. It has been said that chowchow began as a collection of remnant produce that couldn't be used in other dishes, so it became its own reclaimed relish. As you chop each vegetable, consider that origin: making the most from the least, creating abundance from scarcity. You can use four heatproof glass pint jars for this, though I prefer eight 8-ounce jars instead so I can share it around. Using pickling salt, such as Morton Canning & Pickling Salt, helps the liquid stay clear and keeps the cabbage from turning brown.
Provided by Jocelyn Jackson
Categories Cabbage Tomato Onion Bell Pepper Vinegar Mustard Garlic
Yield Makes about 2 quarts
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Toss cabbage, green tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, and salt in a large bowl until all of the vegetables are coated in salt (this will help them release some water). Cover and chill at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours. Drain vegetables.
- Toast mustard seeds in a large pot over medium-high heat, shaking pan, until fragrant and slightly darkened in color, about 2 minutes. Add both vinegars, sugar, mustard, and turmeric. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes.
- Add garlic and drained vegetables to pickling liquid and mix well. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil; cook 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until flavors have melded and liquid is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. The cabbage and green tomatoes should still have a bit of a crunch. Let cool (this will take about 1 hour).
- Using a slotted spoon, divide chowchow among sterilized glass jars of choice and spoon pickling liquid over (chowchow should be submerged and there should be about ½" space at the top of each jar. Cover and chill.
- Do ahead: Chowchow can be made 1 month ahead. Keep chilled. If you'd like to keep it longer, you can use the water bath boiling technique to make the jarred chowchow shelf stable.
BLACK-EYED PEA BURGERS WITH CREAMY BARBECUE SAUCE AND CHOWCHOW
Black-eyed peas traveled from Africa to the Americas on the same Middle Passage as enslaved Africans in the 1600s, and continue to connect families with flavors and stories on both sides of the ocean. As a child of both continents, I honor the rich legacy of the ancestral foodways created from this magical bean. In these patties, black-eyed peas and amaranth create a creamy yet textured foundation on which to layer the umami-rich flavors of mushroom, miso, and tamari and the piquancy of parsley, onion, and Scotch bonnet chiles. Using flaxseed meal as a binding agent not only means this dish is easily vegan, it also grants the patty an earthy final note that resonates on a sunny summer day in the backyard. (If you'd like, you can also cook these in a skillet on the grill.) I serve these patties with an easy sweet-and-tangy barbecue-mayo sauce-which can also be used as a dipping sauce for sweet potato fries or a dressing for a grain bowl or salad-and chowchow.
Provided by Jocelyn Jackson
Categories Dinner Vegetarian Green Onion/Scallion Mushroom Parsley Mayonnaise Mustard Lemon Juice Vinegar miso Summer Hamburger Vegan Peanut Free Dairy Free
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Patties
- Cook amaranth, according to package directions. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet and let cool.
- Combine scallions, mushrooms, chile, black-eyed peas, parsley, tamari, flaxseed meal, miso, and ½ tsp. salt in a food processor. Sprinkle 1-2 Tbsp. cooled amaranth over mixture and pulse until just combined. Repeat process until all of amaranth has been incorporated. Taste and season purée with pepper and more salt if needed. Scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to make 6 portions (a cookie scoop works great if you've got one) and form into patties that match the size of your buns. Freeze 30 minutes.
- Sauce and assembly
- While the patties are chilling, make the sauce. Whisk barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, chili-garlic sauce, mustard, lemon juice, and vinegar in a small bowl to combine. Sauce should taste spicy, tart, and sweet.
- Heat a large skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium-low. Pour in oil just to thinly coat bottom of pan. Working in 3 batches to avoid crowding, cook patties, adjusting heat and adding more oil as needed, until browned (a crisp crust should form), about 5 minutes per side. (You can keep patties warm on a fresh parchment-lined baking sheet in a 250° oven if needed.)
- Build burgers with patties, buns, sauce, and chowchow.
- Do ahead: Sauce can be made 1 month ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.
GREEN TOMATO CHOWCHOW
Here is a chunky relish of cabbage and bell pepper commonly served in the South with salty cold cuts and meats. It couldn't be simpler: simmer chopped vegetables for 15 minutes in a spiced brine - we use judicious amounts of clove, allspice, cinnamon and toasted coriander - and pack into jars. We tip the balance more toward green tomato than cabbage when green tomatoes are available because we love the tomatillo-like flavor of a green tomato - a near-apple flavor, but without the sweetness. It's a delicious substitute for any relish you would spread over a hot dog or a burger, but we take it in other directions, too. Mixed one-to-one with good mayonnaise, green tomato chowchow makes the perfect dressing for coleslaw. Sometimes we'll strain out the brine before we add the mayonnaise to make a killer tartar sauce. Or if we're feeling indulgent, we'll drain the chowchow, toss it with squid or small bay scallops and flood it with a fruity extra virgin olive oil for easy mock-ceviche.
Provided by Matt Lee And Ted Lee
Categories condiments, side dish
Time 45m
Yield 2 quarts
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Pound the dry seasonings together in a mortar.
- Bring vinegar, sugar, and 2/3 cup water to a boil in a large stockpot, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add spices, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Add cabbage, onion and bell pepper, return to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Add the green tomato, stir thoroughly to incorporate, and cook 5 minutes more.
- With a slotted spoon, transfer the relish to 2 quart jars or 4 pint jars. Fill to 1/4-inch from rim with remaining brine, agitate jars, and let stand 1 minute. Top up with brine, close jars and let them cool. Store jars in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 44, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 186 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Choose fresh, ripe vegetables. This will ensure the best flavor and texture for your chowchow.
- Cut the vegetables into even-sized pieces. This will help them cook evenly.
- Use a variety of vegetables. This will give your chowchow a more complex flavor and texture.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices and seasonings. This is a great way to customize your chowchow to your own taste.
- Let the chowchow cool completely before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and develop.
Conclusion:
Chowchow is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish, condiment, or appetizer. It is a great way to use up fresh vegetables and can be made ahead of time, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a chowchow recipe that everyone will love. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy your vegetables, give chowchow a try!
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