I keep getting asked, online mostly, what is Chow Chow? Well, it's a Southern relish and a mighty fine one.

[Dorothy V]

Chow chow is a relish made with cabbage, green tomato, onion, and bell peppers, red or green or often both. Other ingredients may be added, there are about as many recipes for it as there are people who do home canning down here. Those four are sure to be found though. It uses vinegar and sugar for a sweet-sour taste. It comes in mild and hot varieties.

Chow chow can be used the same as pickle relishes, on hot dogs and burgers and the like. It can also be used in other ways - it's great on beans! I love it on fish. Experiment with it, you can find lots of larrupin uses for it. Mix it in cream cheese for a great dip. Use it to make potato salad!

It is available commercially. If you don't live down South, you can buy it online. Tennessee's Best and Mrs. Renfro's are common brands.
The Amish also make a relish called chow chow, but the ingredients are different.

[niyad]

1. Have not thought about chow chow in years. Thank you!

[Dorothy V]

2. You're sure welcome, niyad!

[johnp3907]

3. It seems wrong that at 60 I've never tried it.

Gotta fix that soon.

[Dorothy V]

4. You sure should! It's good!

[debm55]

5. Thank you Dorothy V. I have never tried either. Will look in my store or order at the places you recommended.

[Dorothy V]

8. I hope you can find some, surely online you ought to if nowhere else. I think you'll like it!

[doc03]

6. I see it at the Amish markets haven't tried

it.

[Freddie]

7. I think Pennsylvania Dutch chow-chow is a little different

Pickled veggies cut small (carrots, cauliflower, cucumber I think) cut small. Think pickles but other veggies. My parents liked it, I never did but I’ll have to try it again.

[Dorothy V]

11. Definitely different from Southern Chow Chow! Do try the Southern Style! It's really good!

[Dorothy V]

9. What Freddie said! Very different!

[surrealAmerican]

10. ... so it's kind of like giardiniera, ...

... but more finely chopped and with sugar?

[Dorothy V]

12. I had to look giardiniera up. It is more like the Amish version. Southern style is Different.

[Dorothy V]

13. But the giardiniera looks good! Just different veggies from chow chow.

[snot]

14. Sounds yummy;

thanks for the info!

[Dorothy V]

15. You're welcome and it is!

[Dave in VA]

16. I love southern style chow chow.

Eat it on greens all the time. Cabbage, collards, kale, etc. Grew up with it and still enjoy it very much.

🍽️

[Dorothy V]

17. 😋