How to Make Fruit Chutney

Chutney is a condiment used primarily in Indian cuisine alongside meat and vegetable dishes to counteract their spiciness. It is a mixture of chopped fruits or vegetables combined with sugar, vinegar or citrus juice, similar to a relish or salsa. One of the most common types of chutney uses fresh fruit to makes a sweeter version of the condiment. Making chutney is more of a method than an exact recipe because the ingredients vary depending on the chef, so use any type of fruit you desire.

Things You'll Need

• 4 to 5 pieces of medium-sized fruit (2 to 3 cups total)
• Sharp knife
• Large bowl
• Wooden spoon
• 6 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp. vinegar (any variety)
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Peel the fruit and remove any cores, seeds or pits. Cut the fruit into small, uniform squares-- approximately 1/2 inch pieces--and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

2. Sprinkle the fruit with 6 tbsp. granulated sugar and 3 tbsp. vinegar.

3. Mix the fruit gently with a wooden spoon until all of the fruit pieces are evenly coated with the sugar and vinegar. Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap.

4. Leave the covered chutney at room temperature for 1 hour if you plan on serving the chutney the same day. Transfer the covered chutney to the refrigerator for up to 24 hours if you want to eat it at another time.

5. Stir the chutney gently before serving it. Make sure all of the sugar has dissolved into the fruit juice and no grainy sugar crystals remain. Serve the chutney spooned over spicy meat dishes.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose fruits with heartier textures (such as mangoes, pears, plums, pineapples or peaches) for chutney. Softer fruits may become too mushy after sitting for extended periods of time.

• If you have any leftover chutney, keep it in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to three days.

• Do not eat chutney immediately after preparing it. It takes at least an hour for the flavors to mix together and the fruits to release their juices.

References

• The Indian Kitchen: Chutney
• Fresh Stone-Fruit Chutney