Big Mama’s Chow-chow
Chow-chow is a pickled vegetable dish that is served cold as a side dish or condiment. Its name comes from the French word chou, meaning cabbage, and the ingredients almost always include cabbage; but asparagus, beans, carrots, cauliflower, and peas can be added, as well. Big Mama’s recipe has a Pennsylvania Dutch influence. It is sweeter than most Southern varieties, and it matches well with all types of barbecue and foods off the grill. Her favorite way to serve it was as a side dish—an alternative to slaw; but it makes a great topper for barbecue sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs. For breakfast, chow-chow makes a flavorful addition to scrambled eggs and biscuits and gravy.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 3 pints, serves 8 to 10
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
In a medium nonreactive stockpot, combine the cabbage, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes (the raw vegetables should equal 2 1/2 to 3 quarts). Stir in the salt, cover the pot, and let the vegetables stand at room temperature for 4 to 12 hours. Drain well in a colander.
Step 2
Rinse the pot and add the vinegar, sugar, celery seed, and turmeric. Bring to a boil. Add the drained vegetables, return to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour stirring occasionally. Serve hot or cold.
COOKING METHOD
Step 3
Stove
