Chow-Chow - Home Cooking

Pennsylvania Dutch Chow-Chow

4 cups carrots - sliced thin

4 medium size red bell peppers - cut in chunks (about 3/4" to 1")

2 medium size heads cauliflower - cut in pieces (about 1")

2 to 3 med. size zucchini - cut into small chunks (about 3 to 4 quarts)

2 quarts fresh string beans - cut in 1" to 1-1/2"size pieces

2 quarts fresh wax beans - cut in 1" to 1-1/2"size pieces

3 or 4 large onions - chopped

2 cups celery - chopped in pieces (about 1/2"wide)

2 cans red kidney beans

1/2 cup salt

enough water to cover the vegetables

4-1/2 cups vinegar

8 cups sugar

2 cups water

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp.celery seed

1/2 tsp.cinnamon

1/2 tsp.tumeric

1 tsp. alum

Preparation -
In a very large bowl or kettle, combine all the vegetables except the kidney beans. Pour the salt and water over the vegetables. Soak for about 4 hours. Drain off the water. In a large stockpot combine the vinegar, sugar, and all the remaining spices. Bring to a boil. Add the drained vegetables. Bring to a boil again & cook for an additional 10 minutes. Add the kidney beans and cook for 5 more minutes. Ladle an amount to be eaten within a week into a bowl. Allow to cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate. Immediately ladle the remaining chow-chow into canning jars. Process in a boiling water bath canner or a pressure cooker.