Go Back Email Link
+ servings

Chow Chow Relish

This tangy-sweet relish turns green tomatoes and garden vegetables into the perfect condiment for beans, cornbread, hot dogs, and pulled pork. With crisp cabbage, cauliflower, and peppers in a golden spiced brine, it's a late summer and into fall favorite. Makes 4-5 pints.
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Rest & Cool Time (hours):16 minutes
Total Time:4 hours 50 minutes

Equipment

  • 4-5 pint canning jars with new lids
  • 1 large stainless steel pot
  • 1 Jar lifter
  • 1 Canning funnel

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cabbage, chopped about 1 small head
  • 3 cups cauliflower, chopped about 1 medium head
  • 2 cups green tomatoes, chopped about 4 medium, completely green and hard
  • 2 cups onion, chopped about 2 medium
  • 2 cups green bell peppers, chopped about 2 large
  • 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped about 1 large
  • 3 tablespoons canning salt NOT table salt
  • cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons celery seed
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seed
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • cups white vinegar 5% acidity
  • ¼ teaspoon per jar Pickle Crisp optional, for extra crunch

Instructions

  • Prepare vegetables. Chop all vegetables into small, uniform pieces. Place in a large nonreactive bowl, sprinkle with canning salt, and cover with cold water. Let stand 4 hours or overnight.
  • Drain and rinse. Drain vegetables in a colander and rinse well under cold water to remove excess salt.
  • Make the brine. In a large stainless steel pot, combine vinegar, sugar, celery seed, dry mustard, mustard seed, turmeric, and ginger. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.
  • Cook the relish. Add drained vegetables to the brine and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Vegetables should be heated through but still crisp.
  • Fill jars. Ladle hot relish into hot sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Add ¼ teaspoon Pickle Crisp if using. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims, and apply lids fingertip-tight.
  • Process. Process in boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude). Turn off heat, remove lid, let sit 5 minutes, then remove jars to a towel-lined counter.
  • Cool and store. Let jars cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check seals, remove rings, and store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

Notes

For best flavor, let the relish sit for at least a week before eating. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 1 month.
If any jars don't seal properly, refrigerate and use first.
Adjust processing time for altitude: add 5 minutes for 1,001-6,000 feet, add 10 minutes above 6,000 feet.
Nutrition info is for ¼ of a jar.

Nutrition

Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1048mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 67kcal
Author: Katie Shaw