When peaches are abundant, I like to make the most of the season and one of the ways in which I use them is this Fresh Peach Chutney.
Once again, I have received some beautiful stone fruit from my friend Brad, who lives in the Riverland. We have been privileged to enjoy the deliciously sweet, juicy, fragrant fruit in so many ways. Without a doubt,
If you find yourself with an abundance of peaches, (sheer bliss!) or some that need to be used, here is a great recipe for Peach Chutney.
If the peaches are a little overripe or slightly blemished, this recipe is ideal. Just remove the blemishes and imperfections and proceed. If the fruit is too soft to enjoy eating raw this chutney recipe works beautifully as the long cooking, over high heat, breaks the fruit down anyway.
I love good Peach Chutney and I find that this versatile, sweet and spicy condiment goes well with almost anything. It perfectly complements roast chicken or grilled pork, works beautifully on a hamburger and is delicious in a toasted cheese sandwich. The flavourful zing this chutney provides adds a bright note to turkey or beef sandwiches.
To make the Fresh Peach Chutney, all of the ingredients are placed into a large saucepan or stock pot and brought to the boil over medium-high heat. The mixture is boiled for one hour before bottling in sterilised jars. Instructions for sterilising jars are detailed below.
One of the advantages of a recipe such as this is your ability to customise it.
If you don’t have peaches, you could use nectarines. You could change the spices to suit your taste, perhaps adding some turmeric, garlic or freshly grated ginger. If you would like it extra spicy you could add some cayenne pepper. Brown or white onions could replace the red. With jars of this condiment on your shelves you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have preserved seasonal fruit to use throughout the year and that you have total control over the ingredients.
I do hope you will try this chutney. Please let me know in the comments below if you do. You may also wish to try our delicious recipes for Plum or Apricot Jam.
I have adapted this recipe from one in Stephanie Alexander’s wonderful book, The Cook’s Companion.
Enjoy!
Alex and Faye xx
Fresh Peach Chutney
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg peaches peeled *
- 750 g brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp yellow mustard seeds
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 8 whole cloves *
- 1/2 cup sultanas/golden raisins
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 2 long red chillies seeds removed and finely chopped *
- 3 cups apple cider vinegar 750 ml
- 2 Granny Smith apples unpeeled and grated
- 3 medium red onions finely chopped
Equipment:
- 8 medium sized jars
Instructions
To sterilise the Jars:
- Choose glass jars with an airtight, metal lid and wash them, either in the dishwasher or by hand in hot soapy water, then rinse well and dry completely. Check that the metal lids do not have rubber inserts.Preheat the oven to 130 Degrees C (270 F).Place upright jars and lids on a baking tray. Heat in the oven for at least 20 minutes, then remove and immediately fill with chutney.
To make the Chutney:
- To peel the peaches, half fill a medium sized saucepan with water and bring it to the boil.Meanwhile, prepare a medium sized bowl of iced water.Make a cross incision on the base of the peaches and place them in the boiling water for approximately 20 seconds.
- Remove the peaches with a slotted spoon and place in the iced water bath to stop the cooking process.
- Remove the peach when it is cool enough to handle. Use a small, sharp knife to peel the skin. It will easily peel off.
- Cut the peach in half, cutting around the pit using the natural indentation of the peach as a guide. Gently twist the halves in opposite directions to separate them.Carefully remove the pit with a sharp, pointed knife and discard the pit. Remove any bruises.
- Cut the peaches into large chunks.
- Place all the ingredients into a large, non-reactive saucepan or stockpot.Stir over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved.
- Bring the chutney to boiling point and boil vigorously for one hour, stirring from time to time. Toward the end of the cooking time, the liquid will have reduced and you will need to stir the chutney more frequently to avoid it catching and burning. Be aware that as the liquid reduces the mixture may bubble and spit and you need to take great care. I suggest that to be on the safe side, you wear a garment with long sleeves to protect yourself.
- After one hour, remove the saucepan from the heat and stand for 10 minutes to allow the fruit to settle. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick.
- Remove your sterilised jars* from the oven, and whilst they are still hot, fill with the chutney.Seal the chutney immediately.
- When the jars are cool enough to handle, remove any spills on the outside of the jars. It is wise to label and date the chutney. Store it in a cool, dark location.The chutney will keep for about one year.When removing chutney, always use a clean, dry spoon to avoid spoilage. Being extra cautious, I always store a jar in the fridge once it has been opened.
Notes
* If possible, choose freestone peaches over the clingstone varieties. As the names imply, the stones in freestone are easily removed but with clingstone, there is a little waste as you will need to cut around the stone.
* You could use ½ teaspoon of ground cloves.
* If you like a spicy chutney, you could add some cayenne pepper.
* I use recycled jars with metal lids that are in good condition. Choose glass jars with tight-fitting lids and ensure the lids do not have rubber inserts. See the notes above re sterilising jars. * Please note, the nutritional information is based on one whole jar.
Nutrition
Hi, I only have the Ball jars with the rubber seal on the lid – can I still make this & maybe water bath process it for 10 minutes? Have already made jam, still have 5 trays of peaches left & wanted to give this a try but am a bit hesitant now (I’m new to the whole thing).
Hoping you’ll have time to respond.
Hi Marita,
Yes – those jars are fine, we don’t use them as we sterilise our jars and then heat them in the oven (not good for the rubber seals 🙂 ), but as long as you sterilise your jars and have them nice and warm to put the hot chutney in to, you’ll be fine. Hope you’ll enjoy this recipe! Kind regards, Alex
Wow!! This tasted incredible! I didn’t have enough peaches so used half nectarines instead and served it with a grilled chicken sandwich the next day. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Hi Mary, I am glad that you adapted the recipe to use some nectarines as well as peaches. It’s great to make the recipe your own. Thanks for the lovely comments. 🙂
just wondering about the lids.
Most canning jars have the lids with the rubber on them.
What is the reason for not using those lids, What else can you use?
Hi Carolyn, we sterilise the lids, as well as the jars, in the oven and we don’t recommend rubber inserts as they may be damaged by the heat. We often use recycled glass jars which have previously contained honey, jam, peanut butter or similar. If necessary, we purchase appropriate jars from a homewares store. The method used for this recipe will make shelf-stable chutney and no water bath canning process is necessary. Kind regards, Alex. 🙂
Made the peach chutney and will be making another batch. It is delicious. Thank you so
Much for sharing.
Annette, I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the peach chutney. Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂
I will definitely be trying this recipe. I have been given 2kgs of peaches. When making this recipe, is it 1.5kg of peaches that have been peeled and pitted or is this the weight prior to that? Thanks
Hello Louise!
This is the weight prior to them being peeled (we are about to update this recipe and will add a little extra detail in). Really hope you’ll enjoy the chutney! Let us know what you think! Kind regards, Alex
I absolutely love peaches, and your fresh peach chutney is absolutely amazing!
Thank you Mel, it is a lovely condiment. I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful idea for peaches this season!This recipe was a great inspiration to me, and I will be making it again. SO delicious!
I am so pleased to hear that Catherine. There are so many ways in which to enjoy the chutney. 🙂
This is so amazing!
Thank you Ingrida for your lovely comments. I do appreciate them. 🙂
This is so lovely.
I love peaches, and this is a great way to make the most of the produce.
That is great, Samantha – thanks for letting me know!