Cherry-Apricot Chutney
Last Updated September 25, 2017 · First Published October 21, 2012
Liz Schmitt is a home chef whose cooking dramatically changed after her husband’s heart attack in 2011 and cutting back on salt became imperative. She blogs at Liz the Chef, specializing in low-sodium recipes, and loves Meyer lemons more than ever as a salt substitute and flavor booster. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Canning is something that takes me back to my mother’s and grandmothers’ kitchens, a comforting ritual that evokes happy family memories for me. I’ve been making a version of this cherry-apricot chutney for several years, thanks to my friend, Mary Constant, whose cherry chutney recipe inspired me several summers ago.
For the “Unprocessed” challenge this October, I tweaked the recipe yet again, substituting honey for white sugar and using unsulfured dried apricots instead of the sugared dried cherries in the original recipe. Crystallized ginger (more sugar) wasn’t missed at all when I used grated fresh ginger, and cumin added the spicy note I wanted.
Cherry-Apricot Chutney
Ingredients
- 2 cups clover or wildflower honey
- 1 1/2 cups organic apple cider vinegar
- 2 pounds organic dark red cherries, pitted
- 1 pound organic apricots, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 cup dried, unsulfured apricots, cut into quarters
- 1 large sweet onion, chopped
- 1 Meyer lemon, or any organic lemon (juiced and zested)
- 1 tablespoon mustard seed
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Using a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the honey, and cider vinegar until it begins to boil.
- Add the cherries, fresh and dried apricots, onion, lemon zest and juice, mustard seed, ginger, and cumin. Stir to mix well. Bring chutney to a boil, then lower temperature so that chutney barely bubbles.
- Cook over low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Store in covered container in fridge for up to 1 month or can in sterile jars.
Lovely recipe. But how long to process if canning? and should the jars be filled to 1/2″ or 1/4″? I guess I can wing it, but I would rather know. Thank you.
I adore chutneys – they are so versatile and a great way to add mega flavor without using any salt. Wonderful flavors and substitutions to make it unprocessed, Liz.
Wonderful recipe, Liz! And kudos to you for making an unprocessed version. I will try this in the Spring when apricots and cherries are in season. 🙂
[K]
This looks wonderful, Liz! I love all the changes you made in the recipe too, especially using grated ginger instead of the sugared version. Great job!!
Yum, yum, yum! I have enjoyed watching your evolution as a healthy food blogger, Liz!