Sunday, August 03, 2008

Jane's nectarine and lemon chuney

Having had a few requests for the recipe, here it is with pictures! (I have adapted this recipe from one in the WI book of Jams Jellies & Chutneys) It is oven-cooked - this keeps the fruit in lumps and allows it to caramelise nicely. Goes well with roast or BBQ lamb or pork...

Quantities are for a double amount, using a 2 kilo box of nectarines which are widely available here in France this time of year. This chutney can be made with any other fruit - I have used plums & lemons before which is very nice. Just keep the ratio of fruit : vinegar : sugar the same and use at least 1 lemon.
1.6 kg nectarine flesh in pieces 1 kg lemons de-pipped and cut into pieces (skin and all)
1.3 kg onions, chopped roughly
6 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp allpsice
0.5 tsp ground chili
500 ml cider vinegar
1 kg sugar

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan oven)
2. Put all ingredients EXCEPT SUGAR into a large roasting tin & mix well
3. Cook for up to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally
4. Once the fruit is tender, the liquid is reduced and it is starting to colour, add the sugar & stir.
5. Cook for at least a further 30 minutes till most liquid is well thickened and the fruit is as caramelised as you wish
6. While it is cooking, put jars (between 10 - 12) in a tray in the same oven to sterilise. Boil lids in water
7. Allow chutney & jars to cool a little, then fill jars, seal & label.
8. keep at least a month (preferably longer if you can!) to mature Voila! 11 jars of chutney for about a euro a jar!

2 comments:

Sandyspeak said...

Hay Jane
Why do you cook it in the oven?
In the colonies we use saucepans to cook our chutney

janemick said...

Hi Sandy, Most people use pans in the UK (but I live in France!). however, using the oven and a shallow roasting tray lets stuff cook without falling apart, so there is a better final texture. Also, the sugars caramelise nicely, without burning and sticking on the bottom of the pan, so you get a nice dark brown/sweet chutney. The final useful part is that you don't have to stand around stirring the stuff for ages!
The main reason is to preserve the texture of the fruit - try it for yourself!
I make a mean beetroot chutney, which I have promised recipies to people, so watch this space.
regards
Jane