African Dried Fruit Chutney Recipes

SOUTH AFRICAN FRUIT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Soak the dried apricots in just enough boiling water to cover; let sit for about 1 hour to allow the apricots to rehydrate and become plump.
• Chop the apricots into chunks, reserving the soaking water.
• To remove the skins from the peaches, blanch the whole fruit in boiling water and then place them in a bowl of cold water.
• Chop the peaches into large chunks, discarding the pits.
• Chop or dice the onions.
• Place all of the ingredients in a pot and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.
• Allow the chutney to simmer at medium heat for about 1 hour, without covering, stirring occasionally. Do not worry if the mixture still appears to be runny; it will thicken once cooled.
• Allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Spoon the chutney into 3 hot, sterilized pint jars .
• Keep the jars sealed for two to four weeks prior to consuming to allow the chutney to mature.
• Enjoy.

SPICED DRIED-FRUIT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Stir 1 finely chopped shallot, 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, 1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled ginger, and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped dried apricots, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup coarsely chopped dried figs, 1/4 cup coarsely chopped prunes, 1/4 cup golden raisins, 1/4 cup robust-flavored (dark) molasses, and 1 1/2 cups water; season with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a simmer and cook, adding more water if too thick, until fruit is soft and liquid is almost completely evaporated. Let cool.

FRUIT CHUTNEY (ZWT - SOUTH AFRICA)

Steps:

• Chop all dried fruit except the sultanas.
• Place fruit & water in a lrg mixing bowl, cover & leave overnight.
• Do not drain the fruit. Add the remaining ingredients & place in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
• Simmer over low heat (stirring constantly) till the sugar has dissolved.
• Bring to a boil & then lower heat. Allow to simmer (uncovered) for approx 1 1/2 hrs or till thick, stirring occ.
• Pour chutney mixture into sterilized jars while still hot. Fill to ½ in below the top. Cover w/an airtight plastic lid. Do not use a metal lid because the action of the spices & vinegar will cause corrosion.
• Leave the chutney to mature in a cool, dark, dry place for 6-8 weeks before use.
• NOTE: This fruit chutney may be used in curries, almost any dish that has rice as an accompaniment & also to tasty up pasta dishes.

DRIED FRUIT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy 6-quart pot over moderately high heat until it shimmers and cook the cinnamon, star anise, and cloves for 1 minute. Add the brown mustard seeds and chile. When the seeds pop and are fragrant, after about 30 seconds, remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the orange juice and apple cider. Bring the mixture to a boil and add the cherries, dates, zest, ginger, apricots, cranberries, fennel, yellow mustard seeds, and vinegar. Briskly simmer the mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced and the fruits are softened and tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Stir in salt to taste. Let the chutney cool completely before serving. The chutney keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week.

AFRICAN DRIED FRUIT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a large (3 to 4 quart) Stainless Steel or other non-reactive pot, combine the fruits, onions, vinegar, water, sugar, spices and salt.
• Stirring frequently, bring to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat to low and simmer partially covered for about one hour or until the fruits are reduced to pulp and the chutney is thick enough to hold its shape almost solidly in a spoon; stir it frequently as it begins to thicken to prevent it from sticking.
• Remove the pan from the heat and ladle the chutney into either 1/2 pint or pint jars that have been sterilized filling to within 1/8 inch of the top; put into a boiling water bath for 10 to 15 minutes then remove from water and let cool before storing; refrigerate any jars where the lids didn't seal.

TROPICAL DRIED-FRUIT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into heavy medium saucepan. Add bean, Sherry, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Add all dried fruits; return to simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer until Sherry is almost evaporated, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in enough pineapple juice by tablespoonfuls to moisten chutney. Transfer to bowl, cover, and refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours. (Chutney can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Remove vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, and star anise from chutney. Mix in mint and cilantro and serve.
• *Brown star-shaped seedpods; available in the spice section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Asian markets.