Grandmothers Chow Chow

When my family would set the table for a meal, someone would always say don't forget the Chow Chow. We had Chow Chow on the table for breakfast, lunch and dinner, although we called it supper. We still make our own Chow Chow every summer using my Grandmothers recipe. We usually make enough to last us through the winter and to give as gifts through the year.

Grandmothers Chow Chow

Grandmothers Chow Chow at Miz Helen's Country Cottage


Grandmothers Chow Chow
Miz Helen's Kitchen
Makes 12 Pints
1 Gallon Green Tomatoes
6 medium yellow onions
1 large Cabbage Head
4 Green Bell Peppers, seeded
2 Red Bell Peppers, seeded
2 Jalapeno, seeded (optional)
1 Quart White Vinegar
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons cinnamon
2 teaspoon all spice
Method
Chop the cabbage in a medium chop
In the food processor chop the tomatoes, onions and peppers in a fine chop.
In a very large pan, add the cabbage, tomatoes onions and peppers, vinegar, sugar and all the spice, mix well.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Cook the mixture until the cabbage is reduced and soft, the tomatoes will change colors and the onions will be clear. It will need to cook between 20 and 30 minutes depending on your stove. 
Set the mixture off the heat and adjust the spice to taste
Pack the mixture in clean sterile jars and seal
Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes
Remove from the hot water bath and set aside to cool  until all the jars have sealed, listen for the ping.
Recipe Note
In the original recipe, it called for grinding the tomatoes, peppers and onions. My Grandmother had one of those Hand Grinders that you hang on the side of the cabinet. I still have her Hand Grinder but prefer to use the adaption of the food processor.
Print Recipe

Grandmothers Chow Chow at Miz Helen's Country Cottage

 My Grandmothers Hand Grinder 
On My Antique Kitchen Cabinet

Enjoy your Chow Chow, it is so good!

Grandmothers Chow Chow at Miz Helen's Country Cottage

There Is Always A Little Bite Left 
To Take To The Table

I just loved making Chow Chow with you today, it is always more fun to cook with a friend. Your visits are very important to me and hope you will come back soon! Don't forget your jar's of Chow Chow when you leave.
Peace and Joy
Miz Helen


Miz Helen
Miz Helen

Cookbook Author, Recipe Developer, Organic Gardner.


Comments

  1. Chow Chow is a familiar dish here in Lancaster County. What a great accompaniment to a meal! I love that your are making a recipe that has been a part of your families heritage!

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  2. It's the 1st time I hear the name "Chow Chow" but looking at the recipe I'm quite sure my Grandma and then my Mom used to make something very similar when I was a kid :):)

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  3. You sure there is always leftovers?

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  4. What a lovely Chow Chow .... I'd have to use a food processor too, Miz Helen!

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  5. My Grandmother had one of those hand grinders too. I remember well chow chow time. :)

    Barb in Arlington

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  6. Oh, I have been looking for a chow chow to can! Yum! I am pinning this!

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  7. Thid does take me back. I will have to put it on my list of things to do. Cheers

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  8. Sounds mighty good, Miz Helen!

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  9. I've never had chow chow, it looks delicious! My grandma had a hand grinder, too!

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    1. Forgot to say thanks for the follow! I'm following you back. Have a great week.

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  10. This takes me back. One grandma made Chow Chow the other made Chili Sauce. Either way, it was great food and every time I make their recipes or eat the food, I remember them! Every blessing, Kelly

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  11. Looks interesting and what great memories:) Can you share a couple ways to use the chow chow, what did you do with it specifically?

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    1. Hi Stella,
      Great question. We use the Chow Chow on top of Pinto Beans, Black Eyed or Purple Hull Peas, on Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, and anywhere you would use a relish. It is like a green tomato, cabbage relish, that is pickled, and very good.You can mix Chow Chow with anything and make it better. Hope you enjoy the Chow Chow!
      Miz Helen

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  12. YUM! Nothing like some Chow Chow on a bowl of beans! I remember grinding up the vegetables with my grandmother too. Your jars are beautiful as well.

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  13. Very glad to see your recipe for chow-chow. It seems similar to my grandmother's, ingredients wise, and not very sweet. I think my grandmother would grind her veg, then add salt and hang them in a jelly bag or strainer to drain off some of the liquid for a bit. I am ready to try this now!

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  14. Hi Miz Helen! Thank you for sharing the chow-chow recipe! It sounds delicious! I love chow-chow and the store bought is just not the same! Blessings from Bama!

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  15. I saw a ChowChow recipe in a southern vintage cookbook recently & was intrigued. It looks delicious & I Love green tomatoes. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from Freedom Friday :)

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  16. Thank you for this recipe. As I told you before, my mother and grandmother would always make this. I loved chow chow but have not had it for years and years. I am pinning this because as soon as fall hits and I have to pick my green tomatoes I am making it.
    Thank you for sharing at Freedom Fridays.
    Have an amazing day.

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  17. I have always heard of Chow Chow, but never really knew what it is. This sounds delicious! I've printed and put in my must try pile. Thanks so much for being so faithful to the Weekend Potluck, we love your recipes each week. Have a great week!
    ~Kim

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  18. Your Chow Chow sounds scrumptious! I can understand why it would be on the table for breakfast lunch and dinner that is for sure! Thank you for sharing this delicious family recipe with us at the Hearth and Soul hop, Miz Helen.

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  19. My grandmother had a hand grinder's too. She made sausage with it. My mother's mom made an Italian version of your Chow Chow it had garlic and eggplant and Italian seasoning but the rest of the ingredients are the same. What do you eat Chow Chow with? Are there certain things you put it on more than others?

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  20. This sounds great, I always love family recipes! I've bookmarked it hoping my sons might have some left over green tomatoes:@)

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  21. Just reading the words chow chow reminds me of my mother who was pretty good at making it as well. I have not continued the tradition as much as I liked hers.

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  22. Miz Helen, I have a grinder and antique hoosier almost exactly like the those in your picture. Your chow chow recipe looks wonderful! I will be featuring it in my highlights on the H&S Hop this week.

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  23. I look forward to your recipes every week. They are always great reminders of the past. Thanks for linking to Foodtastic Friday Miz Helen!!!

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  24. Love these old family recipes! I have my mother in law's hand grinder that came from her mother, but I also elect to use the food processor! You are featured this week on Busy Monday at A Pinch of Joy! I hope you will stop by and grab a Featured Button from the Button Box on the sidebar this afternoon. Pinned. Can’t wait to see what else you’ve cooked up!

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  25. This sounds heavenly. Like Charlene said, I love old family recipes.

    Thank you Miz Helen for stopping by and sharing this at the Carnival of Home Preserving! Hope you can stop back by tomorrow for the next edition, if not, I pray you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings, Laura

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  26. I had never taste Chow Chow, looks like a great salsa to me. Miz Helen, I did the pickled beets following part of your recipe, they came out beautiful and delicious. Thanks for the inspiration. Now I need to do Chow Chow for family they have never taste it either.

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  27. My Grandma used to can a relish called "Chicago Hot". Her Mother had escaped from the big Chicago Fire of 1871 and this recipe was apparently named after it, although it was not spicy or hot at all. Grandma passed away at age 95 in 1991 and my Mother (who also made this recipe) got Alzheimers before passing away 20 years ago and sadly, I have never been able to locate her recipe. I remember it had cucumbers, and a few sweet red peppers but no clue what else. We used on everything practically when I was a kid. I don't think this is the same thing, though, because I don't think it had cabbage in it, but I am going to try this soon! Have you or anyone else heard of the Chicago Hot relish?

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    1. Hi Debby 1965,
      I am so sorry I have not heard of your recipe for "Chicago Hot", but it sure sounds good. I will sure be on the watch for it and if I should find it out there I will let you know. If you try this recipe just add some jalapenos or some Tabasco Sauce to warm it up. Thanks so much for stopping by today and best of luck in you search.
      Miz Helen

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  28. Hello! I am going to try this recipe, but I was wondering if the green tomatoes need to be peeled, and also, would you say approximately 25 medium tomatoes would do the trick?

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    1. Hello,
      The green tomatoes do not need to be peeled and 25 to 30 should be plenty for the recipe. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and enjoy your Chow Chow!
      Miz Helen

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    2. Hello, again! Just finished processing several jars of Chow Chow today. In fact, the jars are cooling and pinging as I write! I really liked the taste of it, and am looking forward to trying it out on cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and a host of other things. By the way, I don't know how I managed to post my comments as "Unknown." My name is Jill, and thank you for the recipe, Miz Helen.

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Miz Helen