Ginger peach chutney is a condiment made from fresh fruits and strong spices, it simmers on the stovetop for almost an hour until it reaches a glossy sheen; packed into jars and stored for several months to build up plenty of intense flavor. Making the first batch of the season is a little bit like driving on ice for the first time in winter: it takes a while to remember how to do it, and then gets a little easier each time.
The original recipe came from a neighbor, but like most recipes, it has been adapted ever so slightly over the years. Her sage advice went like this, ” You can’t take shortcuts with chutney.” She said. ” It’s not like making jam where you just add pectin, stir and fill up your jars. Chutney is cooked for a very long time on the stove, slowly. Like making a quilt, and every batch will turn out different.”
Ginger Peach Chutney | Makes 6 pints
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups cider vinegar
1 large yellow or red onion, halved and thinly sliced into half moons (1 cup)
1 fresh cayenne hot red pepper, seeded and minced
1 fresh jalapeno hot pepper, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon pickling kosher salt
1 tablespoon yellow mustard seed
4 pounds ripe (not overly ripe) peaches (about 8 peaches)
1 cup dried cranberries or currents
1/4 cup fresh ginger, grated or candied ginger snipped into small pieces
In a large stockpot, bring the sugar and vinegar to a boil over medium high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Stir in the onion, hot peppers, salt, and mustard seeds. Reduce the heat to medium and cook at a brisk simmer for ten minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large stockpot of water to a boil, and gently immerse the peaches.
Remove after one minute, drain, cool slightly in a colander, and slip off the skins. Over a large bowl, pit peaches and cut into slices and then into roughly ½- to 1-inch chunks. There will be about 6 cups of chopped peaches. Drain the excess juice that will collect in the bottom of the bowl (it is a wonderful sweet nectar for the cook to drink!) and add the peaches to the simmering vinegar brine. Stir in the cranberries and the ginger.
Continue to simmer over low-medium heat and allow the chutney to cook for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peaches and the brine take on a glossy look. Take care not to overcook the peaches, because they will cook again once the canning jars are processed, and it is best to have chunks remain.
Once you’ve deemed the chutney ready, fill 6 pint-sized sterilized jars; wipe the rims clean with a hot towel and screw on the sterilized lids. Flip upside down to seal. Place in hot water bath for 10 minutes, remove and cool. Label and set on a shelf in a cool dark place for a minimum of 3 months.
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