Chow is a popular Caribbean snack known for its refreshing and tangy flavours. Among the various types of fruit chow, pineapple, and mango chow stand out for their unique combination of sweet and sour tastes.
In this blog post, we will get into what pineapple and mango chow are, suggest a few wine pairings, and, finally, provide you with a delicious recipe to make your own pineapple chow at home.
What is Pineapple Chow?
Pineapple chow is a traditional Trinidadian dish made with ripe pineapple pieces seasoned with a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic, scotch bonnet, and other spices. The addition of tangy and savoury flavours creates a mouthwatering treat that is perfect for snacking on a hot day or as a side dish at a barbecue.
What is Mango Chow?
Mango chow is another popular Caribbean snack made with ripe mango pieces that are seasoned with spices similar to pineapple chow. The combination of sweet mangoes with the savoury and spicy seasoning creates a burst of flavours that is both refreshing and satisfying.
Pairing Pineapple and Mango Chow with Wine
I love using white wines with a great backbone of acidity. I generally navigate to grapes such as Riesling, Carricante, Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, and Albariño. Depending on how much scotch bonnet or other hot peppers have been used, I will then look to add the element of weight on the palate and use white grapes with thick skins or wines that have gone through extended maceration in winemaking. Put these two rules together, and Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, and Albariño take the cake as pairing wines for pineapple and mango chow.
Recipe for Pineapple Chow:
Ingredients:
1 ripe pineapple, peeled and diced
1 lime, juiced
1 pepper (scotch bonnet, seeded and minced)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup chadon beni chopped (if you cannot find it, use fresh cilantro)
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the diced pineapple with lime juice and toss to coat.
2. Add salt, black pepper, chilli powder, and minced garlic and pepper to the pineapple mixture. Mix well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
3. Cover the bowl and let the pineapple chow marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld together.
4. Before serving, sprinkle fresh chadon beni (or cilantro) over the pineapple chow for an added burst of flavor.
5. Enjoy your homemade pineapple chow as a refreshing snack, side dish, or topping!
Happy pairing!
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