Wow-Wow Chow-Chow

Name: Wow-Wow Chow-Chow
Ingredients: 1 1/4 lbs cabbage, cored & cut into chunks (early pointy head good); 4 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces (medium); 2 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into chunks; 2 orange bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into chunks; 1 1/2 lbs tomatillos, husked, hulled and cut into chunks; 1 1/2 lbs tomatoes, cored and cut into chunks; 1 cup red pepper, roasted & drained; 2 Thai chiles, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped; For the brine; 4 cups salt; 5 gallons water; For the syrup; 5 cups white vinegar; 3 cups sugar; 1/2 teaspoon turmeric; 1 teaspoon cumin seed; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground; 1/2 teaspoon allspice, ground; 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco; 7 bay leaves

20 ingredients

8 steps

Ingredients

1 1/4 lbs cabbage, cored & cut into chunks (early pointy head good)
4 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces (medium)
2 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into chunks
2 orange bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into chunks
1 1/2 lbs tomatillos, husked, hulled and cut into chunks
1 1/2 lbs tomatoes, cored and cut into chunks
1 cup red pepper, roasted & drained
2 Thai chiles, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
For the brine
4 cups salt
5 gallons water
For the syrup
5 cups white vinegar
3 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1/2 teaspoon allspice, ground
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco
7 bay leaves

Directions

1

For the vegetables: Working in small, separate batches, pulse the vegetables in a food processor quickly several times just until they are chopped but not mushy. Transfer to a bowl as you go.
2

For the brine: Dissolve the salt in the water in a very large nonreactive container, such as a Lexan container or a clean bucket. Add the chopped vegetables to the brine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
3

To prepare for canning: Wash 7 pint jars, their new lids and bands in hot soapy water (180 degrees); rinse well. Dry the bands; set aside. Sterilize the jars by boiling for 10 minutes. Heat the lids and bands in a saucepan of hot water, keeping them hot until ready to use. Do not boil the lids.
4

Fill the canner halfway with water. Preheat the water (140 degrees for raw-packed foods, 180 degrees for hot-packed foods) over medium heat.
5

Drain the vegetables, discarding the brine, and place them in a large, nonreactive pot. Add the vinegar, sugar, spices and hot sauce, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, uncovered, for 1 hour. Fill the sterilized, still hot, pint-size jars with the chow-chow. Use a fork to guide a bay leaf down the inside of each jar, if using.
6

Use a nonreactive spatula or chopsticks to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims and necks of the jars with a clean damp cloth. Center a heated lid on each of the jars. Screw the bands on evenly and loosely until a point of resistance is met (fingertip tight). Load the filled jars, fitted with lids, into the canner rack and use the handles to lower the rack into the water; or fill the canner, 1 jar at a time, with a jar lifter. Increase the heat to high until the water boils. Set the timer for 15 minutes. Add hot water as needed to keep the water level at least 1 inch above the jars. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle boil.
7

When the processing is complete, transfer the jars from the canner to sit upright on a clean dish towel to cool; do not retighten the bands. Let the jars cool on the towel for 12 to 24 hours.
8

When the jars are cool, test for a good seal by pressing the center of each lid. If the lid does not flex up and down, it is sealed. Label and store the jars in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate after opening.