How The Tangy Southern Condiment Chow-Chow Got Its Name

If you've looked for a condiment other than the standard ketchup and mustard to put on your hot dogs, you may have come across chow-chow. Though the name might sound unusual, there's a simple explanation for the moniker. One of chow-chow's main ingredients is cabbage. The French word for cabbage is "chou." Although the word is pronounced more closely to the English word "shoe," a mispronunciation likely led to the naming of the food.

The French term was no doubt used by French-speaking settlers who moved from Canada to Louisiana. Although recipes existed prior to their settling, the new name probably stuck around after the settlers began making it. Another theory states that Chinese railroad workers made a similar recipe in the 1800s, and Southerners adopted the recipe and altered it to make it their own.

Regardless of the condiment's origins, it pairs well with a number of different dishes, and a few variations have been developed over the years.

There are a few different versions of the condiment. Most contain cabbage, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes, although some recipes also call for carrots, beans, or peas. Chow-chow made in the southern U.S. states typically sticks true to the standard recipe, while northern recipes are more likely to incorporate a few other ingredients. Or, if you want to simplify things even more, the Canadian version focuses mainly on green tomatoes and onions.

There are a few different brands of chow-chow that can be purchased in stores. But if you want to customize the food to your own personal liking, you can simply make your own. Whichever recipe you choose to follow, they all utilize the same basic method of brining finely chopped and salted vegetables in a jar for the first step. This process removes moisture from the vegetables, leaving them more dried out. After the moisture has been drawn out, drain the vegetables in preparation for the rest of the recipe.

After your vegetables have been brined and the excess liquid has been removed, your chopped veggies can be added to a pot with vinegar, sugar, and seasonings. Some common seasonings added to the mix include red pepper flakes, mustard seed, celery seed, and allspice. Allow this mixture to boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Chow-chow should then be placed in a jar and allowed to cool completely before being served.

Although the combination of vegetables may make it seem like chow-chow is more of a salad, the finely-diced sizing actually makes it akin to a relish. Once you've made your chow-chow, you can scoop it onto a variety of dishes — hamburgers, biscuits, hot dogs, or even a topping for some crackers. It could even be used in place of the more standard pickle relish when making deviled eggs.

If you've never had chow-chow, go ahead and give it a try. You might just find your new favorite topping for a summer barbecue.