RECIPE: Apricot Chutney

Golden-pink apricots are in season now in the Middle East. Preserve some as chutney for year-round enjoyment.

Do you like chutney? Cooking your own seasonal (and preferably organic) fruit, you can enjoy locavore preserves that you won’t find in any supermarket. And you choose the sweetness and chili heat of your chutney according to your own taste. We’re enjoying the short apricot season now. Try this mild chutney, flavored with sweet spices rather than lots of fiery chilis and assertive onions.

Apricot Chutney

Ingredients:

1 kg. – 2 lbs. – 5 cups fresh apricots

10 oz. brown sugar – 1 1/2 cups

1 medium onion

4 oz. organic raisins – just under 1 cup. Black raisins make a darker chutney; golden raisins make a light.

1 tsp. fresh, grated ginger root

1 Tblsp. salt

1/2 pint – 1 cup – cider vinegar

1 tsp. coriander seeds

3 cloves of garlic

Method:

1. Rinse, halve, and pit the apricots.

2. Slice the onion and garlic thinly.

3. Put all the ingredients into a large pan.  Boil till the apricots are very soft.

4. Remove the apricots from the pan with a slotted spoon and put them into clean, dry jars.

5. Boil the remaining liquid until it becomes a thick syrup.

6. Pour the syrup into the jars; cover and allow to cool before storing. If not using sterile canning procedure, store the chutney in the fridge. It will stay good for up to one year.

Enjoy!

More locavore preserves from Green Prophet:

• How to Make Etrog Jam
• Home-made Strawberry Jam

Photo of fresh apricots by Miriam Kresh