Allotments 4 All

Was going to ask if anyone had ever made apple chutney as I did today....... but have just read tulippa's message in 'The Rec. Pres. Book' thread which is quite co-incidental - maybe it's the same recipe?

However the recipe I followed, I found a day or two ago in a lovely book by Richard Briers (of 'The Good Life fame') called 'A Little Light Weeding' - as he says...'it's so easy' even I can make it'

4 lb windfall apples - cored & roughly chopped
1lb roughly chopped onions
1 clove crushed garlic
1 lb sultanas
1lb soft brown sugar
1 pint vinegar
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Place all the ingredients in a very large saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for about four hours until thick and brown. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to prevent it catching the base of the saucepan. Pot while still hot. Delicious with wholemeal bread and strong cheddar cheese.

I halved the recipe (cos of a shortage of jars) and only cooked it for 2 1/2 hours - which I thought seemed plenty of time and I got 4 jars out of it of varying sizes plus a bit over, which I tried about half hour ago in a tasty cheese & chutney sandwich made with wholemeal bread....yummy

will definitely make more when more jars available - H.P.

Hi HP where you been?? ;D 
Sounds delicious! I am in the midst of preparing 24lb apples for wine! :o  :o Nice neighbour gave me some windfall bags, and have some left over so may give this a go today, also got apple and rosemary jelly to do today too, lucky it is raining!

Hi D.P. well I'm around - truthfully tho, I'm very addicted to a lovely group/community (yes another one!) I belong to but for the over 50's) and spend quite a bit of time in there each day!! they've heard more about veggies & allotments than they ever thought possible!!

Have also been helping out with 'grandchild sitting' during the School hols....& just generally 'messing about'. Sometimes I don't come in here for days then as last night - couldn't sleep yet again, so come in here and 'catch up'. Also, I can't post pics - can't seem to work out how to do it  :-[ so can't get involved in some of the threads so easily.

I'm also still going backwards & forwards to Essex (not far from our Emma Jane) trying to sort out my dear Mum & Dad's place - it's still not sold as the present housing market is 'dead' really and as it's a retirement apartment - an even more difficult 'category' to shift at present! I enjoy going there tho as I usually meet up with friends & other family.

Wow what a load of apples - I find it difficult to cope with a few pounds let alone a flippin sackful  ??? so you've got rain where you are then (must click on & remind myself where that is in a mo)....not a bad day here near Reading, very warm still but could rain - London had some earlier apparently!

Good luck with all those apples  ;) H.P.

Sounds perfect Hot Pot!  I have a carrier full of windfalls in my kitchen and don't know what to do with them...now I have an idea.

Sorry you haven't sold your parents place yet.  Next time you are coming my way, and have a little free time, we must arrange that meet up now the kids are both at school (YIPPEE!) I can rome far and wide.

And Hot Pot, email me your photos if you like and I can post them for you!  ;D

Just thought I'd mention re the Apple Chutney recipe....

After I'd made mine (which is really yummy by the way - put a bit aside for immediate use  ;) )....I re-read it in the book and still couldn't understand why it needed about 4 hours!!...then I realised that it hadn't said to 'peel' the apples so maybe - cos the skin is left on....that's why it takes so much longer to 'soften down' but offers 'more bite' to the finished chutney!!

thanks Emma - will be in touch soon - H.P.

I collected some apples today and did a search on apple chutney.
This is what I came up with, it is now cooking!! I made half the quantity, and it smells wonderful.
One slight problem though, I have it on the lowest heat, but it still boiled dry!! I added a bit more vinegar and a little bit of water, so I hope it will be ok.
It still has an hour to go (been on for 1h30), I wonder if I should add more water or vinegar next time?
I realise that this topic is very old, but maybe someone else might appreciate the recipe being bumped up!!
Sue