Chitlins à la California – Black Foodie Finder

A Traditional Soul Food Heritage Recipe

Tender chitterlings, onions, celery, hot peppers, and garlic come together in Chitlins à la California, a flavorful dish featured in The Black Family Reunion Cookbook. Slowly simmered with seasonings, cider vinegar, and a touch of sugar, this recipe brings together the bold, savory flavors associated with traditional African American soul food.

Perfect for holiday gatherings, family celebrations, and special occasions, this heritage recipe reflects the importance of preserving culinary traditions across generations.

Ingredients

(Listed exactly as they appear in the cookbook.)

• 10 pounds chitterlings
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced celery
• 6 small hot peppers
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Makes: 6 servings

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the chitterlings. Soak in warm salted water for 30 minutes. Cut into 12-inch pieces, open, and remove debris. Wash several times thoroughly.
2. Combine ingredients. Place cleaned chitterlings in a large Dutch oven. Add onion, celery, hot peppers, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
3. Simmer until tender. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook gently for approximately 4 hours.
4. Add the finishing flavors. Stir in cider vinegar and sugar. Continue simmering for another hour.
5. Serve warm. Once tender and thoroughly cooked, serve with your favorite Southern side dishes.

Food Safety Note: Chitterlings require careful handling to prevent foodborne illness. Keep raw chitterlings separate from ready-to-eat foods, thoroughly clean and sanitize utensils and surfaces, and follow current food-safety guidance for cleaning and cooking them. Boiling raw chitterlings for at least 5 minutes before cleaning is recommended to reduce the spread of germs.

Pro Tips & Suggestions

• Clean carefully. Proper cleaning and safe handling are essential when preparing chitterlings.
• Adjust the spice. Reduce the number of hot peppers for a milder flavor or add extra for more heat.
• Balance the flavor. The cider vinegar adds tanginess, while sugar helps soften the sharpness.
• Serve Southern-style. Pair with collard greens, candied yams, black-eyed peas, or warm cornbread.

About the Creator

The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) celebrates African American culinary heritage through The Black Family Reunion Cookbook, preserving recipes that reflect generations of family cooking traditions.

Chitlins à la California was contributed by Delia Johnson, Caterer, Johnson’s Catering, and is identified as a Heritage Recipe in the cookbook.

Chitterlings, commonly called chitlins, have a long history in African American Southern cooking. Their preparation reflects traditions of resourcefulness, where cooks transformed less desirable cuts of meat into flavorful dishes through careful preparation and seasoning.

Over generations, chitlins became associated with family gatherings, holiday meals, and celebrations, particularly within Southern African American communities.

This recipe honors those culinary traditions while highlighting the contributions of Delia Johnson to the cookbook’s collection.

The Black Family Reunion Cookbook | National Council of Negro Women

Where to Find This Recipe

The original Chitlins à la California recipe appears in The Black Family Reunion Cookbook: Recipes & Food Memories by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., published by Simon & Schuster.

Original recipe contributor: Delia Johnson, Caterer, Johnson’s Catering.

The cookbook identifies this dish as a Heritage Recipe, highlighting its place among traditional African American recipes preserved in the collection.

This Black Foodie adaptation preserves the original ingredients and cooking method while presenting the instructions in updated language. Food safety guidance, pro tips, and serving suggestions are additional Black Foodie recommendations.