By: Mayla Odom
Chow chow, also known as Cha Cha, is a traditional Southern dish treasured for its bold, tangy flavor and deep roots in family heritage. On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) demonstration building, Ms. Shelia Graham and Ms. Arlexus Yarbrough taught the class. To prepare it, chop cabbage, onions, green and red bell peppers, green tomatoes, and a few jalapeño peppers. Sprinkle pickling salt over the mixture once all the vegetables are chopped and mixed in a large bowl. Stir everything to combine well, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. By morning, the salt will have drawn out excess moisture. Pour off the liquid and transfer it to a colander to allow the excess liquid to drain. Do not rinse the vegetables, which helps preserve their rich flavor and texture.
After draining the salted vegetables, it’s time to prepare the flavorful brine that gives chow chow its signature tang. In a large pot over medium heat, combine white vinegar and sugar, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Once the mixture is smooth, add in prepared mustard, mustard seeds, pickling spice, turmeric, and, if desired, a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Stir well to blend the spices, then add in the chopped vegetable mixture. Let it cook gently for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the vegetables reach your preferred texture.
While the chow chow is simmering, sterilize your canning jars to ensure they’re ready for preserving. Once the mixture is done, carefully ladle the hot chow chow into the sterilized jars, seal them, and place them into a boiling water bath for 5 to 10 minutes to process and preserve them properly. Once cooled, your jars will be ready to store or share an authentic taste of Southern tradition captured in every bite.
Organization members shared stories about what they learned in adolescence. “When I was a child, I didn’t want to sit in the house and learn what my mama was teaching — I wanted to go outside and play. So, I’m grateful that the WCSHC has a place for us to come and learn these gems again.”, DeBerne Kelly. These words remind us that the lessons we once overlooked can become the treasures we seek later in life. At WCSHC, we are proud to be a space where this knowledge can be passed down through generations and reclaimed, celebrated, and shared. Laughs were shared over a taste test of the chow chow with crackers and cheese. The participants enjoyed the tangy flavors and were excited to take their own jar home.
As we gear up for upcoming events this fall, the WCSHC will host a friendly competition featuring a beloved soul food dish: collard greens. Ms. Shelia, with confidence, stepped up to Mrs. T Todman and challenged her to a cook-off. Of course, T didn’t hesitate to accept the challenge. They will be going head-to-head in a showdown. Let’s get our taste buds ready and be ready to judge. We can only have one winner. This will be epic for the WCSHC. Let’s call it “The Showdown: Old School vs New School.”
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