Harvesting Joy| How to Make Chow Chow Relish

As the summer harvest season is in full swing, our gardens are bursting with an abundance of fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs. One of the greatest joys of gardening is being able to preserve the fruits of our labor (literally) and enjoy them throughout the year. Today, I’m excited to share with you one of my favorite ways to do just that: making garden fresh chow chow relish.

Chow Chow relish is a classic condiment that’s perfect for topping hot dogs, hamburgers, and sandwiches, or adding a tangy crunch to salads- chili, and pinto beans! The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make using fresh ingredients from your own garden or local farmer’s market.

My sweet sweet neighbor gifted me a pint sized jar of her chow chow relish a summer or so ago! I think I ate the entire pint by myself! I kept adding it on my friend eggs, mixed in with my homemade burritos and wherever else I thought some tanginess sounded good!

The Benefits of Homemade Chow Chow Relish:

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why making your own chow how relish is a game-changer:

• Freshness: Store-bought relishes often contain preservatives and added sugars. By making your own, you can control the ingredients and ensure they’re fresh and wholesome.
• Customization: With a homemade relish, you can tailor the flavor to your liking by using your favorite vegetables and spices.
• Cost-effective: Making your own relish is often cheaper than buying it at the store, especially if you’re using ingredients from your own garden.
• Pride and accomplishment: There’s something special about creating something delicious and useful with your own two hands.

Gathering Your Ingredients:

To make this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients from your garden or local farmer’s market:

• 1/2 a large cabbage head.
• 1 green pepper
• 1 red pepper
• 1 orange pepper
• 1 banana pepper
• 2 medium sized green tomatoes
• 2 onions
• 6 small jalapeños

This recipe can easily be changed up. If you don’t have the exact ingredients listed here, don’t be afraid to swap out what is ready to be harvested from your garden or something you already have on hand from a farmer’s market etc.

For the Brine: 

• 3 tbsp salt
• 1 and 1/2 cup of sugar (this recipe is a sweet/spicy relish- you can tame the sugar down if you don’t like a sweeter relish)
• 2 tsp. celery seed
• 1 tsp. turmeric (super good for you!)
• 1/2 tsp. ginger (also super good for you!)
• 2 and 1/2 cups of distilled white vinegar

The Recipe:

Now that we have our ingredients, let’s get started!

1. In a large bowl, combine the chopped or food processed cabbage, bell peppers, banana pepper, onions, green tomatoes, and jalapeños- fill with filtered water and let sit for 4-6 hours.
2. Rinse the veggies in a colander to cleanse.
3. In a large stock pot add in the salt, sugar, celery seed, turmeric, ginger and vinegar. Bring to simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add your vegetables into the stockpot with the brine and bring to boil- simmer 10 minutes.
5. Add your relish mixture into hot/sterilized jars and screw sterilized lids on top.
6. Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.
7. Remove from the water bath canner and allow to sit until lids have sealed completely.

Using Your Fresh Chow Chow Relish: 

Now that you have your delicious homemade chow chow relish, it’s time to get creative! Here are some ideas for using it:

• Top hot dogs, hamburgers, and sandwiches with a spoonful of relish for added flavor and crunch.
• Add it to salads, soups, and stews for a burst of fresh flavor.
• Use it as a topping for baked potatoes or grilled meats.
• Mix it into your favorite dip or spread for a tasty twist.

Conclusion:

Making garden fresh chow chow relish is a simple and rewarding process that’s perfect for garden harvest time. With just a few ingredients and some basic kitchen tools, you can create a delicious and versatile condiments that’s perfect for using up your summer harvest. So go ahead, get creative, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Have you ever made homemade chow chow relish? What’s your favorite way to use it? Share your tips and recipes in the comments below! And if you’re feeling inspired, be sure to share a photo of your homemade relish on social media and tag @thebluegrassfamily!

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I hope you enjoyed this recipe for homemade chow chow relish! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if you’d like to see more recipes like this. Happy preserving!