CAJUN CHOW-CHOW – Relish with an attitude !

I received a jar of Original Cajun Chow-Chow from the folks at Mossy Bayou Foods.

The jar has an attractive yellow and gold label with red lettering and a drawing of cypress trees and with hanging Spanish moss.

I can see through the jar that the product is a yellowish golden color, and appears to be finely chopped.

Reading the ingredient list proves interesting. First we have Green Cayenne Peppers, followed by Vinegar, Onions, Garlic, Salt & Spices.

I open the jar, and encounter a pungent, unexpected aroma. It is both familiar and foreign at the same time. It is not a typical Cayenne Pepper aroma, not at all. And, the aroma of Onion and Garlic are there.
But, there is more. I let a friend take a whiff, and he says it smells like a Spencer’ s store, or, perhaps a Head Shop, or, perhaps like plastic display mannequins. Or, perhaps a bit like a store that sells incense. And you know, I have to agree with him. It is a very, very different aroma for a pepper product, but, still a familiar aroma.

Wow, after that aroma, I guess it is time to taste the Chow Chow. I scoop some out on a tortilla chip. The Chow Chow is a good thickness, and not too watered down with vinegar. A closer inspection shows what must be small diced chunks of the Green Cayenne Pepper, Onion, and Garlic. And, there are tiny flecks of some sort of spice.

Well, after being greeted by the aroma, I was not sure what to expect from the taste.

Wow ! The Chow Chow tastes a lot like the smell. Very strange. I am getting a sharp up front taste from the Green Cayenne Peppers, a very different and earthy pepper taste, followed by a Saltiness and Vinegar, then the heat from the Cayenne kicks in. And, I am getting a Black Pepper taste. Ok, after the initial taste, I try again. Wow, it is the same, but, you know, there is something unique and likable about it. I let my friend sample it, and his first reaction is the same. It tastes like the product smells. And his first taste of it is also quite a shock. But, the second taste is better, and the one following that even better. It is not long at all before half the bottle is eaten.

Wow, what can I say. This Chow Chow grows on you, the more you eat it. It is good. But, it is also one of the most different tastes and aromas I have ever encountered in a Chow Chow. The heat level is about a 3, but lingers for a long time.

If you try this Chow Chow, be prepared for an initial shock, both from the aroma and taste. But, also be prepared to come back for more and more, as it will grow on you. This is a very interesting product.
It is definitely a Relish with an attitude !

A 6.4 oz jar sells for $6.00.

mossybayou.com

Best Regards
John Z