Circa 1970s: The old metal grinder is firmly mounted to my mom’s kitchen table, the abundance of our summer garden stacked in bowls and baskets around us. As often as I could, I’d take a turn at the grinder, cranking the handle despite my stinging, watering eyes. I watched as onions, bell peppers, and green tomatoes were pulled into the turning screw, a crunching sound coming to my ears over the noise of the squeaky handle turning. Mom hovered, sure that with every turn of the handle one of my tender young fingers might join the mix in the pot that was catching the crushed green vegetables. Clear juices, tinted green, dripped from every point of the old grinder, running down to my elbow and then to the floor where a large towel was ready to catch the overflow. The bright green pulp from the unripe remains of a bountiful harvest would be transformed into a relish with the funny name, “chow chow.”
Circa twenty-first century: As times have changed, so too have my methods. Nowadays, an electric food processor makes quick work of the unripe tomatoes, peppers, and onions. But while I am feeling nostalgic about the days I spent hand cranking the grinder in my mom’s kitchen, I share the details with my boys. I want them to know that this is a family recipe, one that my grandmother and theirs made, salvaging the last of the fruit from the vine before winter relegated them to the compost heap. Thirty-some years later, the chow chow tastes the same and my eyes still water, though as I think back to my childhood I’m not sure if it’s the pungent ingredients or the memories that cause the tears.
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CHOW-CHOW
- 12 pounds green tomatoes
- 8 large onions
- 10 green bell peppers
- 3 tablespoons salt
- 6 hot peppers
- 1 quart cider vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons dry mustard
- 1 3/4 cups sugar (one and three-fourths)
In a food processor, chop tomatoes, onions, and peppers in batches, using the pulse mechanism. Stir together in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and refrigerate overnight. Drain off liquid and stir in vinegar, mustard and sugar. Bring to a slow boil; continue boiling until tender (about 15 minutes). Pack into canning jars and refrigerate, or process according to safe canning methods. Makes about 10 pints.
**Adapted from the Ball Blue Book.
**For more information about safe canning, contact your local cooperative extension office.
Photo: Flickr user opopododo under Creative Commons.
I remember one year we had green tomatoes still coming on by Halloween, but this year, I had just enough left for a batch of fried green tomatoes appetizers. I hope next year to be able to do this!
I have heard of chow chow, but never had it. Thanks for the recipe!
NoPotCooking recently posted..Salmon with Broccoli and Artichoke Hearts
Yum! Our tomatoes didn’t do very well this year — no one’s did, apparently — so I don’t have any green ones left. We ate them all! But I would love to try this recipe. And I’ve always wanted to learn how to can food!
Jennifer Margulis recently posted..Dealing With Halloween Candy
Ughhh, this *would* have been perfect for the lingering garden veggies… until the freak snowstorm on Saturday buried them all. Frozen tomato, anyone?
Casey@Good. Food. Stories. recently posted..I Hate Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
What nice memories. This sounds like an awesome dish.
I don’t recall ever making chow chow with them, but my grandmother and mother both had grinders like that. great story (and recipe). thanks for bringing back the memories.
Kerry Dexter recently posted..Harry Potter, imagination, and music
So good to know about this! Earlier this year we wound up with many green tomatoes and could have used this then…will remember just in case for next time!
merr recently posted..The 5-Question [Author] Interview: Valerie Hobbs
I have never made my own chow chow, but my grandmother and great aunt did. Although I didn’t appreciate it as a child, I’d sure like to have a jar of their chow chow now.
Donna Hull recently posted..Dangerous Instincts: A Book to Help You Travel Safely
I don’t have a food processor, but I DO have a metal grinder. I might even upgrade one of these days…
Melanie @ Frugal Kiwi recently posted..50 litres of Milk and a Possum
I haven’t heard of chow chow, but I love the idea. When I was a child my mom had a hand crank wheat grinder. Now I have one for my kids to use too.
MyKidsEatSquid recently posted..Homemade hasbrowns
Know some local folks who are going to appreciate this recipe.