Chow-chow (food)

Last updated
Chow-chow Chow Chow.JPG
Chow-chow

Chow-chow (also spelled chowchow or chow chow) is a North American pickled relish. [1]

Contents

History

Possibly chow-chow found its way to the Southern United States during the expulsion of the Acadian people from Nova Scotia and their settlement in Louisiana. It is eaten by itself or as a condiment on fish cakes, mashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy, pinto beans, hot dogs, hamburgers and other foods. Southern food historian John Egerton cited a connection to relish recipes of Chinese rail workers in the 19th century. [2] [3]

Preparation

An early 20th-century American recipe for chow chow was made with cucumbers, onions, cauliflower and green peppers left overnight in brine, boiled in (cider) vinegar with whole mustard seed and celery seeds, then mashed into a paste with mustard, flour and turmeric. [4]

Regional variations

Its ingredients vary considerably, depending on whether it is the "Northern" (primarily Pennsylvanian) or "Southern" variety, as well as separate (and likely the original) Canadian variety, prevalent in the Maritimes. The former is made from a combination of vegetables, mainly green and red tomatoes, onions, carrots, beans of various types, asparagus, cauliflower and peas. The latter is entirely or almost entirely green tomatoes or cabbage. These ingredients are pickled in a canning jar. After preserving, chow-chow is served cold, often as a condiment or relish. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Condiment</span> Substance added to food to impart or enhance a flavor

A condiment is a preparation that is added to food, typically after cooking, to impart a specific flavor, to enhance the flavor, or to complement the dish. A table condiment or table sauce is more specifically a condiment that is served separately from the food and is added to taste by the diner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chutney</span> South Asian condiments made of spices, vegetables, and fruit

A chutney is a spread typically associated with cuisines of the Indian subcontinent. Chutneys are made in a wide variety of forms, such as a tomato relish, a ground peanut garnish, yogurt or curd, cucumber, spicy coconut, spicy onion or mint dipping sauce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mixed pickle</span> Pickles made from a variety of vegetables mixed in the same pickling process

Mixed pickles are pickles made from a variety of vegetables mixed in the same pickling process. Mixed pickles are eaten much like other pickles: in small amounts to add flavor and to accent a meal. Mixed pickles appear in many different world cuisines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Relish</span> Cooked, pickled, or chopped vegetable or fruit used as a condiment

A relish is a cooked and pickled product made of chopped vegetables, fruits or herbs and is a food item typically used as a condiment to enhance a staple. Examples are chutneys and the North American relish, a pickled cucumber jam eaten with hot dogs. In North America, the word "relish" is frequently used to describe a single variety of finely chopped pickled cucumber relish, such as pickle, dill and sweet relishes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piccalilli</span> British relish of chopped pickled vegetables and spices

Piccalilli, or mustard pickle, is a British interpretation of South Asian pickles, a relish of chopped and pickled vegetables and spices. Regional recipes vary considerably.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remoulade</span> Mayonnaise-based cold sauce

Rémoulade is a cold sauce. Although similar to tartar sauce, it is often more yellowish, sometimes flavored with curry, and often contains chopped pickles or piccalilli. It can also contain horseradish, paprika, anchovies, capers and a host of other items.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pickling</span> Procedure of preserving food in brine or vinegar

Pickling is the process of preserving or extending the shelf life of food by either anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar. The pickling procedure typically affects the food's texture and flavor. The resulting food is called a pickle, or, to prevent ambiguity, prefaced with pickled. Foods that are pickled include vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, dairy and eggs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Branston (brand)</span> British food brand known for its pickled chutney

Branston is an English food brand best known for the original Branston Pickle, a jarred pickled chutney first made in 1922 in the village of Branston near Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire by Crosse & Blackwell. The Branston factory proved to be uneconomical, and production was moved to Crosse & Blackwell subsidiary, E Lazenby & Sons in Bermondsey, London, where it invested in new buildings in 1924 and 1926, which remained in use until 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine condiments</span> Condiments used in Filipino cuisine

The generic term for condiments in the Filipino cuisine is sawsawan. Unlike sauces in other Southeast Asian regions, most sawsawan are not prepared beforehand, but are assembled on the table according to the preferences of the diner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Asian pickle</span> Pickled varieties of vegetable and fruit

South Asian pickles, also known as Avalehikā, Uppinakaayi, Loncha or Noncha, Achaar, Athāṇu or Athāṇo or Athāna, Khaṭāī or Khaṭāin, Sandhan or Sendhan or Sāṇdhāṇo, Kasundi, oorugaai or aavakaai, is a pickled food made from a variety of vegetables and fruits preserved in brine, vinegar, edible oils, and various South Asian spices. The pickles are popular across the Indian subcontinent, with many regional variants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giardiniera</span> Italian relish of pickled vegetables in vinegar or oil

Giardiniera is an Italian relish of pickled vegetables in vinegar or oil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pickled fruit</span> Fruit that has been preserved by anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar

Pickled fruit refers to fruit that has been pickled. Pickling is the process of food preservation by either anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar. Many types of fruit are pickled. Some examples include peaches, apples, crab apple, pears, plums, grapes, currant, tomato and olives. Vinegar may also be prepared from fruit, such as apple cider vinegar.

Indian relish is a spicy relish used as a condiment or side dish. It consists of variety of vegetables and fruit that can include chopped bell peppers, sweet onion, garlic, tomatoes, sour apples, mustard, cloves, white wine vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, ginger, and sugar. Recipes for Indian relish started appearing in cookbooks during the 1700s. Indian relish was imported from India and became popular in England and Scotland during the 18th century.

References

  1. Skrabec, Q.R. (2009). H.J. Heinz: A Biography. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 73. ISBN   978-0-7864-5332-0 . Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  2. The Mountain Laurel, "Southern Sweet Chow-Chow Relish"
  3. 1 2 "What is chow chow? This pickled condiment is a Southern staple". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  4. Y.W.C.A. Cook Book. 1908. p. 45.