Cha Cha is a name given to many different foods from a variety of cultures. Our focus on this website is Southern recipes, therefore the Cha Cha featured here is a Southern relish popular in the African American communities of the South since the 1800's.

Cha Cha is used as a condiment like any relish. Also many recipes are enhanced by adding a tablespoon of Cha Cha while cooking. Use when cooking green beans, chicken, black eyed peas, mustard/turnip greens and any kind of soup or chili.

Cha Cha is unique in that the same dish is made in a wide variety of ways with significantly different ingredients. What we present here is a basic recipe with the understanding that each cook may wish to revise to their own preferences. Some make Cha Cha hot and spicy, others mild. So, you may want to experiment to obtain your favorite blend.

Ingredients

* 4 cups cabbage, grated
* 4 cups green tomatoes, chopped (you can substitute red tomatoes)
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 1 large bell pepper, chopped
* 1/2 Tbsp. pickling spice
* 1/3 Tbsp. dried dill weed
* 2 tbsp sugar
* 1/3 cup vinegar (add an additional 2 tablespoons vinegar if using red tomatoes)
* 1 tbsp salt
* Tabasco Sauce or jalapeno pepper (optional - see note below)

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. If you do not expect to consume within 2 days, place hot relish in sterilized canning jar and process in a boiling water bath 10-15 minutes.

Makes 1-2 pints. Store in refrigerator.

Note: If you like hot and spicy Cha Cha, add 1-2 tbsp. Tabasco Sauce or 1 chopped jalapeno pepper (to taste) to the above recipe.

Note 2: The traditional Cha Cha is made with green tomatoes. We prefer red since they are more available. You can also sunstitute Mexican tomatillo, which are generally available most of the year in large supermarkets.

Serve with any meat or vegetable. Very good with Fried Pork Chops.