Simple Pineapple Chow Recipe

Pineapple chow is a tasty sweet, savory and spicy snack that is enjoyed in T&T. It is most often made with pineapple chunks, chadon beni or Caribbean green seasoning, salt and pepper.

Trinis are incredibly creative and some have started adding salt prunes to their chow, which gives the pine a yellow-orange color and further accentuates the sweet-salty flavors of the chow. I made this chow recently and it was so, so, so good!

What is chow

Trini chow is a healthy, refreshing snack made with half ripe to ripe fruit or vegetable pieces, chopped chadon beni leaves, fresh pepper and salt. The salt draws out the natural juices of the pieces and these juices mixed with the seasonings further marinate the fruit/vegetable. 

Chow is a popular street snack in Trinidad and Tobago and it is best enjoyed on a hot day, especially at the beach. Mango, pineapple, hog plum, pommecythere (or golden apple) and cucumber chow are the more popular types.

But, you can make chow with anything from chenet (Spanish lime) and pomerac to strawberries and pears. There are no rules when it comes to making chow.

Pineapple chow ingredients

• fresh pineapple: the sweeter the better!
• fresh chadon beni leaves or Caribbean green seasoning: use cilantro leaves as a substitute.
• salt
• pepper: pimentos, scotch bonnets, pepper sauce, even paprika will work.
• garlic (optional): not my favorite but you can add it in.
• lime juice (optional)
• cilantro, chive, thyme, and other fresh seasoning (optional)
• other fruits and vegetables (optional)
• salt prunes (optional)

How to make pineapple chow

Step 1: Peel the pineapple, removing the head, skin and ‘eyes’ of the fruit. You can remove the core if you like or leave it in to increase the fiber content of the chow. Cut the pineapple into small bite sized pieces.

Step 2: Wash and cut the pepper. Remove the seeds and white pith. Grind the pepper, peeled garlic and washed chadon beni leaves together. You can also finely or coarsely chop the ingredients.

Step 3: Add the garlic, pepper and salt to the pineapple. Squeeze the lime juice over the ingredients and toss to coat the fruit pieces with the seasoning. Add any additional ingredients if you desire at this point. Taste test and adjust the salt and pepper levels.

Step 4: Next, cover the chow and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill and marinate. Serve cold. 

Pineapple chow recipe