Chow Chow Green Tomato Relish Recipes

CHOW-CHOW - GREEN TOMATO RELISH OR PICCALILLI

Steps:

• 1. Combine the chopped vegetables in a large nonreactive kettle or bowl. Add the salt and stir to combine thoroughly. Cover and let stand for 4 hours or refrigerate overnight.
• 2. Prepare the canner and jars. Add water to a canner with rack and heat to a boil; reduce heat and keep at a simmer. The water should be high enough to be at least 1 inch above the filled jars. I usually fill it about halfway and I keep a kettle or saucepan of water boiling on another burner to add to the canner as needed. Wash jars thoroughly and heat water in a small saucepan; put the lids in the saucepan and bring almost to the boil; lower heat to very low to keep the lids hot.
• 3. Drain the vegetables and rinse thoroughly.
• 4. In a large nonreactive kettle, bring the vinegar, brown sugar, and seeds and spices to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and continue simmering for 5 minutes. Add the drained vegetables and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• 5. With a slotted spoon, pack the vegetables into prepared jars. Cover vegetables with the pickling liquid, leaving about 1/4-inch headspace.
• 6. With a clean dampened cloth, wipe the rims of the jars. Place the flat lids on the jars then close caps with screw-on rings tightly, but do not over-tighten. Arrange the filled jars in the canner and add more water, as needed, to be at least 1 inch above the jars. Bring to a full boil. Cover and continue boiling for 10 minutes. Remove the relish to a rack to cool completely.
• 7. Check for seals (the middle of the caps should have made a popping sound while cooling and will stay depressed.

CHOW-CHOW (GREEN TOMATO RELISH)

Steps:

• 1. Chop all vegetables; combine in a large kettle. Stir in salt; let stand at room temperature overnight, or at least 8 hours. Drain
• 2. Combine vinegar, sugar, dry mustard, ginger and tumeric in a large kettle. Cut a 6 inch square of cheesecloth and place mustard seed, celery seed and pickling spices in the center. Gather the edges together, tie with string and add to the kettle/
• 3. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 mins. Add vegetables and return to simmer for additional 30 minutes. Discard spice bag.
• 4. Spoon hot chow-chow into hot sterilized jars and seal. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner. (20 mins. for altitudes of 1000-6000 feet. 25 mins for altitudes above 6000 feet.)

GREEN TOMATO CHOW-CHOW

Steps:

• Grate the tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers on a box grater or in a food processor using the grating disk.
• Transfer the grated vegetables to a large nonreactive saucepan and add the sugar, vinegar, chile peppers, salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, pickling spices, and cloves and stir to mix. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, skimming the rising foam as needed. Cook, stirring often, until thick, about 45 minutes. Remove from the heat. If preserving the relish, sterilize four 1-pint heat-tempered canning jars (see Know-how, page 291).
• For refrigerator relish, let cool slightly and refrigerate in airtight containers until ready to serve, or for up to 2 months.
• For preserved relish, pack the hot relish in the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace to ensure a proper seal, and process in a hot water bath for 20 minutes to vacuum-seal (see Know-how, page 291). Let cool to room temperature, check the seal, and store in a cool, dark place until ready to serve, or for up to 6 months. Refrigerate after opening.