If you grew up in the Caribbean, especially the Southern Caribbean, “Chow” would have been a key part of your childhood experience. A spicy pickle loaded with Garlic and Citrus juice, along with Scotch Bonnet Peppers. Usually half-ripe mango is the key ingredient, but we use just about any fruit we can find and when all fails, we even use cucumber. With a good batch of fresh strawberries from my garden (watch the video) and since they were a bit tart, I thought I’d rock a quick chow.
You’ll Need…
– 2 lbs strawberries (green and red mix)
– 1 clove garlic
– 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
– 1/2 orange (juice)
– 1/2 medium red onion (sliced thin)
– 1 scotch bonnet pepper (crush or sliced thin)
– 2 tablespoon cilantro
– 1/2 lime (juice)
Important: If doing this recipe Gluten Free, please go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Be sure to wash your hands immediately after handling such hot peppers as Scotch Bonnets. I added some tomato to the chow (yellow cherry) but that is totally optional.
Since this is a pretty basic recipe I didn’t take the usual step by step pics you normally get. However there is the video below you can follow along with.
Wash and trim your strawberries. If they are large you can cut them in 1/2 if you wish and if you prefer to remove the stems, by all means do so.
Crush the garlic with the salt and juice of the orange.
It’s now time to assemble. Place the prepared strawberries into a large bow, top with the garlic puree, then add the thinly sliced onion, followed by thinly sliced Scotch Bonnet Peppers. Remember you can leave out the seeds if you’re overly concerned about the raw heat and you may also crush the scotch bonnet along with the garlic if you wish. I like leaving it sliced thinly as one can identify the pepper and avoid if necessary.
Add the cilantro (we’d normally use Shado Beni on the islands) along with the lime juice and give it all a good mix. Place in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes, then enjoy. Best enjoyed with adult beverages (Smile). Feel free to add some freshly ground black pepper if you wanted.
Do you own a copy of my cookbook ?- The Vibrant Caribbean Pot 100 Traditional And Fusion recipes Vol 2
As a trini that lives in Canada I haven’t tried this but I will next summer with my homegrown strawberries! Seems like any underripe fruit we can find we make into chow! I like oranges, June plum, green apple, grapefruit or pomelo, blood orange – so many things you only really get in Canada (or at one of our West Indian markets)
I have had strawberries with pepper and balsamic vinegar and it was lovely. This sounds similar and spicier. I will definetly try this !