Green Tomato Relish Recipe
aka Chow Chow Relish

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Courtesy of Ellen P.
Belmont, NC

Use this green tomato relish recipe when you harvest green tomatoes just before frost or a hard freeze.

Chow Chow: Green Tomato Relish Recipe with Tomato Dirt

It's a great way to use unripened tomatoes. And if you don't have enough, you can replace some of them with grated green cabbage.

You can call it "green tomato relish," if you like ... but in the south, it's commonly known as Chow Chow or Chow Chow Relish. Southerners slather it on pinto beans or a hot dog.

Allow two days to complete the process: one day to prepare the vegetables and soak them in brine, and a second day to mix the relish in syrup and process it.

Day 1: Make relish

What you need

1 gallon (approximately) firm green tomatoes
4 green bell peppers
4 red bell peppers
2 or more hot peppers, optional (to taste)
4 onions
½ cup canning salt (table salt works fine, too)
Water

What to do

Wash tomatoes and peppers. Slice and de-seed them.
In a food processor with steel blade, grind vegetables to a medium coarse consistency.
Set vegetables in a bowl. Mix in salt. Add enough water to cover. Set aside until the next day.