September 21, 2015

the next big baby name?

Chutney. That's my prediction, anyway. After some of the ones I've seen, it's not out of the question, amiright?


We have just as many green tomatoes from our garden as we do ready-to-eat, and until this past weekend, many of them were sitting in a container on my counter, supposedly ripening. I finally got tired of waiting for them to turn yellow and sweet and delicious (or, on the flip side, brown and moldy and gross) and just went ahead and made some chutney. The only experience I've had with this complex accompaniment is a version created by my stepdad, and though it's been several years since I had it, I remember being surprised by it and thrilled with it and liking it very much.


There are similarities between the flavors of this chutney and the one my stepdad makes. Though I left out the chiles, the red pepper flakes are there and do an adequate job of providing some heat. You're mostly getting sweet, spicy, and sour when you eat a spoonful of this chutney, and really, isn't that enough? I like it with my beans and weenies, but it's also great with pork loin. Plus, as my fiance happily pointed out, you can't go wrong with a shmear of it on plain ol' toast, either.

Do any of you have much experience with chutney? What should I try with my next batch? How do you like to eat yours?

Green Fruit Chutney
(printable recipe)
A blend of this and this
Makes 1 quart
Ingredients:
  • 1-3/4 pounds firm green tomatoes, about 4 cups, coarsely chopped (or halved, if using pear or cherry tomatoes)
  • 1 Granny Smith apple, cored, and cut into chunks (peeled or unpeeled)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup dried cherries
  • 3/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon chili pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions:
Place all of the ingredients in a medium sized (about 4-quart) thick-bottomed pot. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 45 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Store in the refrigerator for up to two months.

22 comments:

  1. What a perfect application for green tomatoes! I was eyeing the green tomatoes at the farmer's market and was thinking of treating myself to frying them but ended up walking away. Love your ambition to make chutney. And it looks like a contender in the baby name category for certain!

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  2. Chutney is the murdering stepdaughter in Legally Blonde!

    This looks great - I love a chutney. Best thing on a cheese sandwich!

    When did your gentleman companion move from being boyfriend to fiance? Is this a new development I missed?!

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  3. @Alicia: I never made any formal announcement, just started referring to him as fiance! It happened back in May and this gal's still pretty excited about it. :)

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  4. May! I've been very unobservant! Many congratulations.

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  5. Now I wish I had plenty of green tomatoes for this chutney!

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  6. If only I had green tomatoes. And my future grandchild had better not be named Chutney.

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  7. That first photo is making my mouth water, Grace. Sticky and thick and I can just imagine how it tastes! I want that on my grilled cheese!

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  8. After Apple, anything is possible! Hehe Chutney Grace (I know that's not your last name) but it has a nice ring to it :D

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  9. Haha... As one reader pointed out, it is actually a name. As for toast...Hmmm, however, the grilled cheese with green tomato chutney....NOW you have my attention.

    Great recipe!

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  10. After Apple, anything is possible! Hehe Chutney Grace (I know that's not your last name) but it has a nice ring to it :D

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  11. I haven't made my own chutney but I def prefer mine spicy! And yes I bet that's the next big baby name haha

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  12. I've never made a chutney before, but it looks like yours is plenty good and tasty simply on a spoon, too!

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  13. Wow I've never made Chutney before! It looks so tempting though! I must get your recipe a try!

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  14. I love chutneys too and this one sounds delicious!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  15. I have never made chutney, but I think yours looks terrific. And Chutney definitely sounds like the next celebrity baby name!

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  16. I have zero experience with making my own chutney, although I sure love to eat it! So yours is the first one I am going to try...and I totally support Chutney as a baby name! :)

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  17. I have never tried green tomatoes and looking at this chutney it makes me regret that!

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  18. Chutney is on my "to do" list. This one looks terrific!

    I am not so sure about it being a good baby name... :P

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  19. Big yum! Somehow I'm picturing that piled on a hot dog or bratwurst. I think it would elevate the humble tube meats into something really special.

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  20. Your titles never fail to amuse me. I'm on ObGyn right now and given the interesting names I've seen, I'm sure one of my patients has named their child Chutney. Sounds like a fitting name for a cute baby haha

    I've never used green tomatoes though - interesting recipe

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  21. "Have you met little Chutney?" I hate to say it, but I can so hear that. I make a similar green tomato chutney which I can. We absolutely love it with curry and my middle daughter will eat it by the spoonful. Isn't it a great way to use up green tomatoes?

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