Green Tomato Chow Chow: Sweet and Sour Relish
Particularly Eastern Canadian....
Servings: 14 cups
Ingredients
- Ingredients for the Chow Chow:
- 10 pounds of green tomatoes , chopped
- 3 cups red bell peppers , seeded and chopped
- 3 cups yellow bell peppers , seeded and chopped
- 3 cups orange bell peppers , seeded and chopped
- 3 cups onions , chopped 1 1/2more needed
- 3 fresh jalapenos , stemmed and diced (I did only 1 1/2 and the recipe could definitely use all 3 would not be hot)
- 1 quart Pickling Liquid (recipe follows)
Ingredients for the Pickling Liquid:
- 3 cups distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 1/4 c salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons whole allspice
- 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
- 1 ½ teaspoons celery seed
- 1 ½ teaspoons mustard seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoons whole black peppercorns
Instructions
Instructions for the Chow Chow:
- Pulse the chopped tomatoes in a food processor (I did not do this until just before canning them, after they were cooked, and then only did a little pulse); place in a non-reactive heavy pan
- Add the peppers, onions, and jalapeno to the processor and pulse until desired consistency; add the mixture to the tomatoes
- Stir in the pickling liquid
- Over high heat, bring the mixture to a boil
- Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15-20 minutes
- Remove from the heat and (this is when I pulsed it a little bit to get the size I liked) spoon into 4 250ml preserving jars, filling the mixture to within 1/2-inch of the top
- With a clean damp towel, wipe the rim and fit with a hot lid; screw on the metal ring until snug (not too tight)
- Process in a hot water bath for 15 minutes; using tongs, remove jars, place on towel; cool
- Test the seals; tighten the rings and store in a cool dark place
- Age for 2 weeks before using (whoops, didn’t do this, either!)
Instructions for the Pickling Liquid
- Place all of the ingredients in a nonreactive saucepan, over high heat; bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes
- Remove from the heat and cool completely; strain the liquid and store in an airtight container