Here's my latest column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail:
The fall ushering in cooler temperatures signals that it is time to make the final harvest of the garden by gathering up the wayward zucchini, corn, cabbage and peppers.
These leftover veggies are typically not enough to put up, in and of themselves, but combined, they can create the Appalachian specialty known as “chow chow.”
Chow chow is a condiment made up of those end-of-the-season garden vegetables, combined with vinegar, turmeric and other spices, and then canned. The result is a tangy — and sometimes sweet or spicy — mixed vegetable relish that can add some twang to hot dogs, beans and cornbread or any other dish that could benefit from an acidic kick.
“Evidence suggests that Chinese laborers introduced it into this country about 1850 when they worked on the railroads. Its Chinese origin is evident, not only in its name, but also in the seasonings that include a mixture of turmeric and various mustards,” according to Mark Sohn in “Appalachian Home Cooking: History, Culture and Recipes.”
“Late in the nineteenth century, this odd mixture of fall garden produce became popular among mountain families, and it has remained a favorite. Today, those who travel find chow chow sold up and down the Appalachian Mountains, but less frequently to the east of west.”
Because of the nature of this relish, the recipe is highly variable. One season, there may be a ton of cabbage left over, while the next year, it may be more pepper heavy.
Typically, a chow chow recipe calls for five to 12 vegetables. That can include celery, hot peppers, green beans, lima beans, tomatoes, apples, corn and more.
That’s the beauty of chow chow. The recipe can range from spicy to mild, sweet to savory, thin sauce or thick, chunky relish — all dependent on the preferences of the family.
Chow chow preserves those fresh veggie flavors and memories from summer — perfect for when there’s a foot of snow outside and the cornbread you made needs an extra kick.
Like many other Appalachian foods, chow chow is a resourceful way to not only make sure every vegetable in the garden is put to use and but also bring some fresh flavors to the table during months when they aren’t plentiful.
This table staple goes well with so many Appalachian dishes and brings that vinegar-based flavor that punches dishes up. Whether it’s a homemade recipe or a gourmet version bought off the shelves of a grocery store, chow chow embodies a piece of Appalachian foodways and carries on those food traditions. How do you take your chow chow?
Tudor's Biscuit World is more than biscuits. Yes, the biscuits are great. But, have you checked out their lunch options?
In particular, I'd like to direct your attention to their chicken strip basket - one of my go-tos at Dairy Queen. But, dare I say, Tudor's may be better?
Maybe it's because they give out ample white gravy. The chicken is not as crispy, but crisp enough. The toast and fries were tasty. Plus, there are about 5 Tudor's locations closer to me than Dairy Queen. So it's a solid substitute.
Grade: A
This may sound a little strange, but you just never know where you may find the best pepperoni rolls: like a gas station kitchen in southern West Virginia. My hairdresser suggested the best pepperoni roll is in her own area - the V-Mart in Comfort, West Virginia.
So, of course, as soon as the opportunity arose, I made my way to this gas station in comfort. It really is a gas station, but they do also have this entire kitchen/restaurant side. There are premade pizzas in the case, pepperoni rolls and others that are available to order.
I'm not sure if I got lucky, but I saw just ONE pepperoni roll - so I ordered it as quickly as I could. The kind woman asked if I wanted it heated up - and of course!
So, let's get into it. This pepperoni roll was large, pretty soft on the outside, super greasy, dark golden brown and topped with some parmesan.
It is stuffed with slices of pepperoni and some nice oozy cheese. And not the kind that gets like hard and solid, but the kind that is deliciously stringy and mm. Good."
So, is it the best pepperoni roll? I don't know that I can say that. It's a pretty good one in an unexpected place, though!
Grade: A
I'm catching up on some blog writing, and I wanted to make sure I recognized the Food Shack. This Kanawha County food truck is an operation from the Underprivileged Children Foundation to bring food to children in need.
SHACK, which stands for Stop Hunger Among Community Kids, participated in a Food Truck Friday this summer at the Ronald McDonald House so I went to check it out. I believe their truck has had some damage from an accident since this visit, but they're continuing to carry out their mission in other ways.
So, while I believe their main stops are in areas where children are in need, they also joined other food trucks to raise money on this particular day. And, it was cool to get to check it out. It appears their chili is donated from the Custard Stand and the meat was donated from BowlesBoyz BBQ - and the price of each of their offerings showcased how many meals could be purchased with our order.
I went with their nachos, which had pulled pork, jalapenos, cheese and sour cream. Nachos are good - no matter what time of year. And when there's local BBQ, it makes them that much better! I can't say anything bad about a big pile of nachos, all going to a good cause, and seeing my buddy Jim Strawn in the process!
Grade: A
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