Spicy Plum Chutney

Name: Spicy Plum Chutney
Yield: 6 (4-ounce) jars
Ingredients: 8 Plum:plums, coarsely chopped (about 1 1/2 pounds); 1 medium Onion:red onion, coarsely chopped (about 6 ounces); 3/4 cup packed light Sugar:brown sugar; 1/3 cup dried Currant:currants; 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 large Garlic:garlic cloves, sliced paper thin; 1 teaspoon Mustard seed:mustard seed; 1/2 teaspoon Salt:kosher salt

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6 (4-ounce) jars Easy

(16) Total: 1 hr 35 mins, plus 12 hrs cooling time Active: 35 mins

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Ingredients (8)

8 plums, coarsely chopped (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 medium red onion, coarsely chopped (about 6 ounces)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup dried currants
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 large garlic cloves, sliced paper thin
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Nutritional Information

Calories160
Fat0.49g
Saturated fat0.04g
Trans fat
Carbs39.82g
Fiber2.68g
Sugar35.49g
Protein1.6g
Cholesterol
Sodium166.6mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (6 servings) Powered by

The ideal chutney balances sweet, spicy, and savory, and that’s what we’ve done with this plum version. The mustard seed and currants play off each other for a condiment that’d dress up anything from grilled chicken to a pan-seared pork chop.

You can, of course, make this recipe without canning it—just be sure to use or eat it within a week. If that’s an unrealistic venture, use the tips and instructions below to can the chutney.

Special equipment:
We’re assuming that you already have basic tools lying around (like cutting boards, bowls, and measuring cups), so here’s the special equipment you’ll need for canning:

6 (4-ounce jelly jars)

6 lids with sealing compound for 4-ounce jelly jars

6 bands for 4-ounce jelly jars

Boiling water canner or 15- to 20-quart pot with a tightfitting lid

Canning rack that fits inside the boiling water canner or 15- to 20-quart pot

Thin, flexible rubber spatula

Jar lifter

Deep frying/candy thermometer

Game plan:
General canning tips: Before you turn on the heat, be sure to do the following: Read the recipe through, gather all necessary equipment, and check that you have the right amount of each ingredient on hand.

Give all your equipment a once-over: Examine your canning jars for nicks, cracks, uneven rims, or sharp edges that may prevent sealing or cause breakage; check that the lids have no dents and that the sealing compound is even and complete; and check that the bands fit properly.

Finally, have your jars, lids, and bands already sanitized before you start, and prepare only enough for one canner load at a time.

Chutney-specific tips: Select fresh plums at their peak, and use firm, uniform-size produce free of any cracks, spots, or growths.

This recipe was featured in our canning story.

by Aida Mollenkamp

Instructions

For sanitizing the jars and lids:

1Wash the jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water. Rinse well. Dry the lids and bands, and set aside.
2Place the jars in a boiling water canner or a 15- to 20-quart pot fitted with a canning rack and a lid. Fill the pot with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 10 minutes, then turn off heat.
3Keep the jars in the hot water until ready for use, removing one at a time as needed.

For the chutney:

1Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
2Let cook, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes, or until reduced by 1/3. Continue cooking, stirring frequently to make sure chutney does not burn, until chutney is syrupy, another 10 minutes.
3When chutney is ready, remove the jars from the hot water with a jar lifter, letting excess water drip off. Bring water in the canner back to a simmer (about 180°F) for processing the packed jars.
4Remove chutney from heat and fill the sterilized jars, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace.
5To remove any air bubbles, slide a clean rubber spatula down the side of each jar and press inward on the chutney while rotating the jar; repeat 2 to 3 times for each jar.

For processing the packed jars:

1Wipe the rim and threads of each jar with a clean, damp towel. Place the lids on the jars, checking that the sealing compound is centered. Fit the jars with bands and tighten just until resistance is met.
2Check that water in the pot or boiling water canner is at a simmer (about 180°F), and set the jars in the canning rack. (The jars must be covered by 1 to 2 inches of water. Add additional boiling water as necessary.)
3Cover the pot with a tightfitting lid and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Process the jars for 10 minutes at a gentle but steady rolling boil. (Begin calculating the processing time once water is at a rolling boil. Check occasionally that water remains at a steady boil.)
4Once processed, remove the jars with the jar lifter and set upright, 1 to 2 inches apart, on a dry towel. Do not retighten the bands; let cool at least 12 hours.
5After the jars have cooled, check for a seal by pressing the center of each lid. If the center is concave and does not flex, remove the band and try to lift off the lid with your fingertips (don’t pull too hard). If you cannot lift the lid, there is a good vacuum seal. If the lid pops off, your jar did not properly seal. Eat the chutney within two months.
6To store properly processed jars, wipe each lid and jar with a clean, damp cloth (the bands don’t need to stay on for storage), label the jars, and store them in a cool, dry, dark place. Unopened jars can be kept up to a year when stored properly. Once opened, keep in the refrigerator and use within two months.