Christmas Chutney

1 hour 30 minutes
to cook

This is so-named because it is made with dried fruits, which I always associate with Christmas: prunes, dates and apricots

It's dark, spicy and delicious with cold cuts, pork pies or hot sausages – and it goes splendidly with matured Cheddar.

The Delia Online Cookery School: One of our most popular festive recipes is Etty’s Sausage Rolls. Just click here to watch how to make them.

This recipe is taken from Delia Smith’s Christmas. Makes a 1 litre jar. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see questions Lindsey has answered on this recipe


  • method
  • Ingredients

Method

The dried fruits and the onions need to be chopped very small, and this can be done in a food processor, or with an old-fashioned mincer, or else with a sharp knife and lots of patience!

When they're all dealt with, put the vinegar in a large saucepan with the salt and the ginger, then tie the allspice berries up in a small piece of muslin, or gauze, very securely so they can't escape and add these to the pan. Bring everything up to the boil, then stir in the chopped dried fruits and onions together with the sugar. Leave it all to simmer very gently without a lid for about 1½ hours, or until the chutney has thickened. Stir it from time to time during the cooking period. When it's ready, you will be able to draw a spoon across the surface of the chutney and make a trail that doesn't immediately fill up with surplus vinegar.

In the meantime, the jar should be washed thoroughly in warm soapy water, rinsed, dried and heated in a moderate oven for 5 minutes. Spoon the cooked chutney into the warmed jar, seal well with waxed discs and tight lids, and label as soon as it's cold.

Keep this chutney for 1 month to mature before eating.

Equipment

You will also need a 1 litre jar and a small piece of muslin or gauze.

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