Heirloom Tomato Chow Chow Recipes

GREEN TOMATO CHOWCHOW

Steps:

• Chop tomatoes. Transfer to a strainer and sprinkle with salt; let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, chop cabbage, onions and green and red peppers. Place in a Dutch oven. Add drained tomatoes to pan and, if desired, jalapeno., Stir in vinegar and sugar. Place pickling spices on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners to enclose spices; tie securely with string. Add to pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, stirring occasionally, 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Discard spice bag. Cool to room temperature; refrigerate leftovers.

CHOW CHOW I

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and salt. Let stand overnight.
• Drain the tomato/pepper mixture and add the hot chile peppers, vinegar, sugar, and horseradish. Wrap the cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in cheesecloth or a porous bag, and add to tomato/pepper mixture.
• Boil for 15 minutes, or until tender.
• Pack tightly in sterilized jars and seal.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO CHOW-CHOW

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar, sugar, ginger, dry mustard, turmeric, mustard seeds, celery seeds, pickling spice and 1 teaspoon salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer 15 minutes to extract the flavors of the spices.
• Return to high heat; once the mixture is boiling and steaming, add the tomatoes and onions, stirring to coat everything evenly. Reduce the heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.

EDITH'S RED TOMATO CHOW-CHOW

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large pot (preferably non-stick) and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until desired consistency is reached.
• Stir very often to prevent burning.
• Pack into sterilized jars and seal.

CHOWCHOW

Steps:

• Toss cabbage, green tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, and salt in a large bowl until all of the vegetables are coated in salt (this will help them release some water). Cover and chill at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours. Drain vegetables.
• Toast mustard seeds in a large pot over medium-high heat, shaking pan, until fragrant and slightly darkened in color, about 2 minutes. Add both vinegars, sugar, mustard, and turmeric. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes.
• Add garlic and drained vegetables to pickling liquid and mix well. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil; cook 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until flavors have melded and liquid is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. The cabbage and green tomatoes should still have a bit of a crunch. Let cool (this will take about 1 hour).
• Using a slotted spoon, divide chowchow among sterilized glass jars of choice and spoon pickling liquid over (chowchow should be submerged and there should be about ½" space at the top of each jar. Cover and chill.
• Do ahead: Chowchow can be made 1 month ahead. Keep chilled. If you'd like to keep it longer, you can use the water bath boiling technique to make the jarred chowchow shelf stable.

GRANDMOTHER JOHNSON'S TOMATO CHOW-CHOW

Steps:

• Chop tomatoes peppers and onions bite-size or smaller.
• Put all ingredients in a large pot and cook on low simmer for 3-4 hours. (Recipe says to cook it "slow and cook down low").
• Sterilize your canning jars & lids in boiling water.
• Fill the jars and place tops on tight.
• After filling jars, give them a 45-minute bath in boiling water.
• Enjoy.