Nova Scotia Chow Food

NOVA SCOTIA GREEN TOMATO CHOW CHOW

Steps:

• Do NOT stress over this. There are many variations. As long as you stick to the basic directions, it will turn out.
• Depending on how fine you want the final product, and the kind of tomatoes you are using (Beefsteak, Roma, etc), you can slice them, cut them into cubes, or chop the tomatoes.
• Peel and slice the onions. Don't worry about fancy - a food processor does a perfectly fine job.
• In a large pot or bowl (I used a 42 cup bowl with a lid), sprinkle the tomatoes and onions well with salt, and let sit overnight covered. They do not have to be refrigerated.
• In the morning, rinse the tomatoes and onions to remove the salt and drain the liquid off. Discard the brining liquid. The vegetables will have reduced considerably in volume.
• Tie the spices in a cloth (cotton or cheesecloth) bag. This amount of spice will make a pickle with plenty of bite, and you can use much less and still have a good chow. One variation is to use 2 Tablespoons each celery seed and mustard seed, and put them directly in the pickle without a cloth bag.
• Not everyone likes a strong vinegar taste. Replacing up to 1/3 of the vinegar with water will still work. Do not go less than that.
• In a large pot, combine vegetables, vinegar (and water, if using), sugar, and spices.
• Cook on medium heat for ABOUT 2 hours, stirring often.
• The mixture will cook down and thicken.
• Follow SAFE, up to date canning methods (defer to official recommendations over this recipe). Fill 6 pint jars with hot pickle, add canning lids and rings, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
• If any is left after filling the jars, place it in a container in the refrigerator and use within a week or so.
• Let cool completely and test the lids. Any that do not seal should be refrigerated.

NOVA SCOTIA GREEN TOMATO CHOW RECIPE - (3.5/5)

Steps:

• In a large pot, sprinkle the tomatoes and onions well with pickling salt, and let sit overnight covered. In the morning, rinse the tomatoes and onions to remove the salt and drain the liquid off. Add them to a large pot, add the vinegar, the sugar, and the pickling spices in a cheesecloth bag. Put the large pot on the stove and turn to medium. Cook the tomato mixture until it is soft and somewhat thickened, about two hours. Stir often, don't let it burn to the bottom of the pan. Seal in hot sterile mason jars. Makes about 6 pints.

MOM'S NOVA SCOTIA SEAFOOD CHOWDER

Steps:

• Fill a large pot halfway with lightly salted water; bring to a boil. Add onions and carrots; cook until slightly tender, 10 minutes. Add potatoes; cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in salmon, cod, scallops, shrimp, lobster, and crab; cook over medium heat until salmon and cod are firm but chunks are still slightly translucent in the center, about 10 minutes. Drain half the water from the pot and add clams, heavy cream, and half-and-half. Place butter chunks atop the soup; season with salt and black pepper. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until salmon and cod are fully cooked and flake easily with a fork, about 30 minutes.

CHOW CHOW PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH

Steps:

• Combine vinegar, sugar and salt in large stockpot or kettle large enough to hold all ingredients. Bring to a boil, being certain sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Add the cooked beans, vegetables, canned onions and gherkins. Bring back to boil, then reduce heat and keep at a simmer. Place in hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch head space, and process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes at an altitude up to 1,000 feet, 15 minutes at 1,000 to 6,000 feet. (Processing times are based on guidelines provided by the USDA National Food Safety Database.).
• Notes: Recipe can be made in smaller amounts and, rather than processing, kept in the refrigerator for up to two months.
• RATATOUILLE VERSION; diced eggplant, diced zucchini, tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic, peppers, oregano, basil, wine, prepare, add to large pot and simmer until veggies done (fork test). Recipe ingredients from a shopper at Monroe Street Farmers Market. Fall 2017.