Watermelon Chow Chow

By Millie Peartree

Updated Oct. 12, 2023

Watermelon Chow Chow
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Total Time
40 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Rating
4(165)
Comments
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It’s spicy, it’s sweet, it’s tangy. A perfect condiment, watermelon chow chow has a bright freshness and a gentle crunch that mellows with time. It renders a sweet and spicy kick to anything it’s spooned over, whether you’re serving it with grilled meats, like hot dogs or hot links, or collard greens.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 cups (about 2 tablespoons per serving as a condiment)
  • ½cup granulated sugar
  • ¼cup dried hibiscus
  • 1½pounds watermelon, rind removed, cut into ½-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
  • ¼cup chopped and seeded English cucumber
  • ¼cup chopped red onion
  • ¼cup pickled jalapeños, chopped, plus ¼ cup pickled jalapeño brine
  • 1teaspoon lemon juice
Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Prepare the hibiscus simple syrup: Add the sugar and ½ cup water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Off heat, stir in the hibiscus, and let steep for at least 15 minutes. Strain into a glass jar and seal tightly with a lid. (Hibiscus simple syrup will keep, refrigerated, for about 1 month and is great in cocktails or seltzer.)

  2. Step 2

    In a bowl or a quart container, combine the watermelon, cucumber, onion and jalapeños. Mix until thoroughly combined.

  3. Step 3

    Add jalapeño brine, lemon juice and ¼ cup of the hibiscus simple syrup to the watermelon mixture, and mix to combine.

  4. Step 4

    Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for about 15 minutes. Serve as a condiment on hot links and greens, or as a relish.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
165 user ratings
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Comments

D. Ward

Make ahead tip: Watermelon lets off lots of water, water so keep those cubes separate from everything else and drain right before you mix in to serve.

elinde

I order dried hibiscus from a great CO-based spice company, Savory Spice, for anyone wondering where to source it. Often have free shipping specials.

SEW

I believe they are referring to jarred jalepenos. You can find them in most any supermarket. Look in the aisle where the dill and sweet pickles are. Hope that helps.

Tony Mac

Fresh jalapeños, and no brine make this recipe a little brighter. If you or your guests are pepper-heads, I bet the cirtrusy

Tony Mac

Fresh jalapeños, and no brine, make this recipe brighter. If you or your guests are pepper-heads, habaneros with their citrus overtones would be wonderful. This recipe is always a hit.

Lex

Beautiful edible dried hibiscus leaves? Amazon! Amazon! Amazon! Amazon! To name just one of many suppliers.

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