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chow chow montana style

(1)
SpokaneLinda avatar
Recipe by
Linda Lehman
@SpokaneLinda
Spokane, WA

This is an old recipe like the ones friends of mine canned when I lived in Montana. The original recipe that I am posting has changed for my families use a bit through the years. The changes I have made use less sugar, more turmeric and bay leaf rather than pickling spice. I also rinse the veggies and add a little salt back into the brine. Some people use brown sugar, I have never seen anyone use honey though. I do not have any in the pantry and won't can it until the end of the season, I will post a picture than. Easy for 1st time canners! Can't go wrong.

(1)
prep time 1 Hr
cook time 1 Hr
method Stove Top

Ingredients For chow chow montana style

  • VEGGIE MIX-COMBINE AND SET 12 HOURS DRAIN AND DRY WELL
  • 2 qt
    cabbage, about 1 med chopped
  • 6 md
    onions chopped
  • 6 md
    green peppers chopped course
  • 6 md
    sweet red peppers chopped course
  • 1 qt
    green tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 c
    pickling salt
  • BRINE -SIMMER 20 MINUTES
  • 2 Tbsp
    mustard seed
  • 6 c
    vinegar 5% i like apple cider but many use white
  • 3 1/2 c
    sugar, up to 4 is good if you like sweeter
  • 1 1/2 tsp
    turmeric, ground
  • 1 tsp
    ginger, i like fresh but this is dry measure
  • 2 Tbsp
    mustard seed
  • 1 Tbsp
    celery seed
  • 1 Tbsp
    pickling spice, whole

How To Make chow chow montana style

  • 1
    Combine vegetables and salt. Cover and let stand overnight. Drain Well. This allows the veggies to soak up more of the brine.
  • 2
    Mix brine. I always taste it at this point and adjust my seasonings. (I begin with 2 1/2 cups sugar and add more depending on how much sweet relish I already have. the original calls for 3 1/2 or 4 cups sugar. We like tart and tangy versus sweet.)
  • 3
    Simmer brine for 20 minutes add vegetables simmer for another 10 minutes. While keeping this at simmer, pack into hot jars. MAKE SURE BRINE COVERS VEGGIES. YOU MAY WANT TO MAKE A LITTLE EXTRA BRINE JUST FOR THIS (I usually have about a cup of vinegar heating just in case)
  • 4
    I process this 10 minutes for pints. It depends how fine you chop the veggies as to how many jars you will get. I do a large chop so it is more of a side dish than a condiment. I get 6-8 pints I think (it's been a while)
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