Pear-Apple Chutney
A flavorful pear-apple chutney with warm spices and tangy vinegar, perfect as a condiment for meats, cheeses, or as a tangy spread for bread and crackers.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tsp. peppercorns ⓘ
- 5 firm pears, peeled, cored and chopped ⓘ
- 3 cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped ⓘ
- 3 fresh peaches, peeled and chopped ⓘ
- 2 tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped
- 2 lemons, finely chopped
- 1/2 orange, finely chopped
- 2 c. cider vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1 (16 oz.) pkg. brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) pkg. raisins ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can sliced water chestnuts, drained ⓘ
- 1 (2.7 oz.) jar crystallized ginger, chopped ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, crushed ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. mustard seed ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. ground ginger ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Tie peppercorns in a piece of cheesecloth.
- Combine peppercorns and remaining ingredients in a large kettle.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours, stirring mixture occasionally.
- Pour hot mixture into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.
- Remove air bubbles; wipe jar rims.
- Cover jars immediately with metal lids and screw on bands.
- Process chutney in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier chutney, consider adding more red pepper or a few chopped jalapeños. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, you can substitute some of the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup. When choosing apples, opt for tart varieties like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness of pears and peaches. Also, feel free to adjust the vinegar to suit your taste preference.
Serving Suggestions
This Pear-Apple Chutney is delightful served alongside roasted meats or as a condiment for sandwiches. It pairs beautifully with Sweet And Sour Lentils With Fine Noodles, adding a contrasting flavor profile. Serve it on cheese platters or with crackers for a tasty appetizer, or use it as a topping for grilled chicken or pork.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cooled chutney in sterilized jars in the refrigerator for up to one month. To keep it longer, process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes as directed. If reheating, warm the chutney gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pear-Apple Chutney contains roughly 441 calories, with 4g protein, 112g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (84% of the Daily Value), iron (39% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1255mg per serving (55% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen fruit for this chutney?
While fresh fruit is preferred for its texture and flavor, you can use frozen fruit if necessary. Just ensure it's thawed and drained well before adding it to the recipe. The flavor may vary slightly, but it will still yield a delicious chutney.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the chutney?
You can adjust the sweetness by either increasing or decreasing the amount of brown sugar used. If you want a less sweet chutney, reduce the sugar and taste as you go. Adding more tomatoes can also help balance the sweetness without sacrificing flavor.
Is this chutney suitable for canning?
Yes, this chutney is suitable for canning. Be sure to follow proper canning procedures, including sterilizing your jars and lids. Processing in a boiling water bath for the recommended time ensures safety and shelf stability, allowing you to enjoy this chutney for months.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).