Wow Wow Chow Chow Food

WOW-WOW CHOW-CHOW

Steps:

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

SWEET CHOW-CHOW

Steps:

• Grind tomatoes, cabbage, onions, green peppers and red peppers into large pan.
• Add salt and let stand overnight.
• Rinse and drain.
• Put into large kettle.
• Add remaining ingredients, heat to boiling.
• Boil for 8 minutes,stirring constantly.
• Pour into hot sterilized jars; seal.
• Let stand at least 2 weeks before opening.
• For hot Chow-Chow, add 10 hot peppers and 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper.

MRS. ADAMS' UNCOOKED CHOW-CHOW

Steps:

• Grind vegetables or pulse in food processor (Mrs. Adams ground hers, I just chop mine fine).
• Drain vegetables.
• Mix salt, spices, sugar and vinegar and heat through.
• Pour over vegetables and add lemon juice.
• Can as you normally would.