Chow Chow

is a pickled relish made from vegetables, generally associated with the American South but also Pennsylvania and the Appalachian Mountains, who tend to make a sweeter Chow Chow. At Niagara Produce, we have some made in the Southern style, resting on the side of the Big Basket, facing the vegetables. It looks like this: I had never had Chow Chow before, so it caught my attention. What is it? How do you eat it? What's with the name? Is it good? Only one way to find out: I got some, did some research, and I'm here to report back. What is it? This one is cabbage, onions, hot peppers, water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and other spices. Other Chow Chow (Chow Chows?) have tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and/or peas. These vegetables are chopped up and pickled. Simple enough, right? You could even make your own Chow Chow, we have all the canning supplies necessary, right here at Niagara Produce. How do you eat it? [caption id="attachment_1428" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Like this.[/caption] It goes on hot dogs or hamburgers like relish, and it gives you a similar experience. It livens up the meat, and adds complexity to the dinner. Some eat it on mashed potatoes, with pinto beans, or with biscuits and gravy. Experiment yourself, you can't go wrong. Well, you could go wrong. I wouldn't eat this with a chocolate milkshake. But maybe you'd like it. I won't judge. What's with the name? Chow Chow? Isn't that a dog? [caption id="attachment_1431" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Chow Chow: A different kind of hot dog. From Wikipedia.[/caption] As with all great cultural foods, no one really knows why it's called Chow Chow. Some say it's named after one of the ingredients, chayote, sometimes known as cho-cho or chow-chow, but that's not even included in many recipes anymore. Others say it's named after another ingredient, cabbage, which is called "chau" in French, but the pronunciation is different so that too is unlikely. It could be named after the general term "chow down," which could be related to the dog. Basically, no one knows. Fun to say, though. "Chow Chow" "Chow Chow" Yeah, fun to say. Let's go with that. Is it good? Yup! Well, I like it.

Would you like it? Give it a shot. Next time you're in Niagara County Produce grabbing hot dogs, hamburgers, or pinto beans, stop by the Big Basket and pick up some Chow Chow.   Have you had Chow Chow before? Do you like it? Is it something you would like to try? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, and give a "like" or a "follow" while you're there.