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You are here: Home / Recipe Index / Caribbean Dishes / Pineapple chow

Pineapple chow

January 16, 2018 by Charla 12 Comments

Last Updated on August 31, 2019

Pineapple chow recipe – Indulge on my rendition of this popular Trinidadian spiced infused street snack with additional papaya (paw paw). Chow is the perfect grab and go island food.

pineapple chow

pineapple-and-paw-paw-chow-pin

When it comes to fruit I absolutely love all things pineapple related and if you don’t believe me, that’s fine! Just have a look at some of my pineapple smoothie recipes on the blog. Trust me when I say those smoothies are rotation in Charla’s house. I like them especially during the spring, so refreshing and incredibly tasty might I add.

What is pineapple chow?

Now, you’re probably wondering what I earth is chow? Well as the pictures suggest we certainly aren’t referring to “chow mein” rather a contrast.

Chow is essentially a popular  on-the-go snack hailing from Trinidad and Tobago. It consists of fresh fruit that has been slightly seasoned with herbs – shado beni (known as spirit weed in Jamaica) is the preferred choice of herb. If you cannot obtain shado beni then cilantro is the next best thing which is what I used.

pineapple chow

What other seasoning is used in chow?

Additional condiments, such as black pepper, salt, garlic, hot sauce and scotch bonnet but most importantly is that drizzle of lime are all used to seasoning chow.  The lime juice in my opinion really enhances the flavour of the fruit, especially if it’s extra sweet along with the other ingredients.

Adding some papaya to your chow

As much as I love pineapple chow, I wanted to change things up, a little with this papaya (paw paw) that had been sitting in my fruit basket for over a week now. It’s time to put this pineapple and paw paw chow idea into action, less talking and more doing. One of the many benefits of chow is how diverse it truly is. Trinbagonians pretty much chow any fruit and I don’t blame them.  Moreover, my chow medley includes some red onion and cucumbers to boot.

pineapple chow

Reasons why you should make this pineapple paw paw combination chow

By default this recipe is incredibly healthy, tart with a hint of spice and an added sweet note. Just think you could start your day with this tropical fruit bowl. Fruit contains enzymes which the stomach needs to help break down food.

Therefore, I would advise eating this in the morning on an empty stomach to cleanse yourself on the inside. However, with that being said, you can certainly prep the fruit with, condiments in a bag which is what I did, grab a fork then hit the road!pineapple chow

Want to try some other cuisines from Trinidad and Tobago?

Trinidad dhal recipe

Cornmeal cou cou

Print

Pineapple chow

pineapple chow

★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

paleo, vegan, raw, gluten free, dairy free

  • Author: Charla
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Yield: 2-4 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Cuisine: Caribbean
Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 large papaya (paw paw) peeled with seed removed
  • 1 large pineapple, peeled and chopped into chunks (can use 1 large can instead, drain juice)
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cucumber, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tbsp of cilantro, chopped finely
  • 1 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
  • 1 tsp hot sauce and/or 1/4 scotch bonnet (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • juice of 1 lime

Instructions

  1. Grab two freezer bags and double bag them or a zip lock bag.
  2. Proceed to add the chopped pineapple, papaya, cucumber, and red onions in the bag.
  3. Season the fruit with cilantro, garlic, salt, pepper, hot sauce and scotch bonnet
  4. Drizzle the entire contents with the juice from a lime.
  5. Tie a knot in the freezer (if using) or zip the bag then give a good shake so all of the condiments and juice fully saturate the fruit.
  6. Eat straight from the bag (and go) or serve in a bowl.
  7. Refrigerate any leftovers

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 90

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thatgirlcookshealthy on Instagram and hashtag it #thatgirlcookshealthy

 

Filed Under: Caribbean Dishes

About Charla

My name is Charla and I am passionate foodie who specialises in creating recipes that are not only gluten and dairy free but I also like to tap into my Caribbean heritage making healthy rendition of classic recipes.

« Coconut shrimp soup (dairy free)
Chicheme (Vegan style) »

Comments

  1. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    January 17, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    Loving these amazing tropical flavors going on here!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Charla says

      January 17, 2018 at 8:36 pm

      Thanks Shadi

      Reply
  2. Valentina says

    January 17, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    I have been loving fresh fruit with spice! This is so pretty and the combination of ingredients sounds divine.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Charla says

      January 17, 2018 at 10:44 pm

      Thank you so much Valentina.

      Reply
  3. swathi says

    January 17, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    Your pineapple papapya chow sounds delicious as it both of my favorite fruit. I need some like this to forget this harsh winter. Addition of hot sauce sounds interesting too.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Charla says

      January 17, 2018 at 10:44 pm

      Thanks Swathi. It’s sweet and spicy at the same time, very nice combo.

      Reply
  4. Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze says

    January 17, 2018 at 10:32 pm

    I’m drooling over this. One of my best friends is from Trinidad and she’s been promising to take me home for ages but I haven’t made it yet. In the meantime, I will console myself with a big bowl of this, because I love everything about it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Charla says

      January 17, 2018 at 10:46 pm

      Thanks Jeni. I haven’t been to Trinidad, closet I’ve been was Grenada and Barbados but like you I am acquainted with many Trinidadians and love the food!

      Reply
  5. Lisa Huff says

    January 17, 2018 at 10:38 pm

    Saving this one for summer BBQs! Would make a great potluck side dish!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Charla says

      January 17, 2018 at 10:43 pm

      Yay!! That’s what I like to hear Lisa.

      Reply
  6. Ceil says

    January 18, 2018 at 11:55 am

    Greetings dear Charla! I hope that 2018 is treating you well. I’m not one for “spicing up” my fruit salads, but your recipes are always so delish, I’m going to give this Chow recipe a go over the summer. Keep well and stay warm. 🙂

    Reply
    • Charla says

      January 19, 2018 at 9:13 pm

      Hi Ceil. I hope you enjoy it when you do make it. It’s not too spicy, just the right balance of sweet with a hint of spice.

      Reply

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Greetings

Charla here, a young woman of Afro Caribbean heritage. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes

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