It’s Cherry Season!!! “Bing” it on……..Sweet Savory Cherry Chutney is the perfect condiment for pork, chicken, or fish.
Add it to your favorite grain, or perhaps your next cheese plate; the uses are endless.
Some fruits never disappear from store shelves. You can find apples, oranges, peaches, bananas, etc. year-round. Cherries….not so much!
Sweet cherries, such as Bing and Rainier, are available from May to August. Sour/tart cherries have a much shorter growing season. Usually found for a week or two, during the middle of June in warmer areas and as late as July and August in colder regions.
WHAT EXACTLY IS CHUTNEY?
Chutneys are a savory condiment made from slow-cooked fruits or vegetables, vinegar, and spices. Originating from India, chutneys are globe-trotting condiments, and every country has their own take. South African chutneys will usually include apricots, while in Britain, chutneys use apples. Indian chutneys are made from coconut, mint, peanut, mango, or tamarind, to name a few.
What Is Chutney Used For?
Most chutneys have one thing in common, they are used to complement other dishes. Indian recipes are usually not considered complete without the addition of Chutney. In addition to the meats mentioned above, serve as a dipping sauce, condiment for curry, spread on toast to add a burst of flavor.
Making Chutney
Chutneys are made by slow-cooking fruit or vegetables with ginger, garlic, and chilies. Spices and vinegar are added to preserve the Chutney giving it a tangy flavor. Making your own chutneys to serve with entrees and appetizers requires little effort. It produces a unique, flavorful condiment that your guests will remember.
Chutney-Jam-Relish?
The most significant difference between chutneys and jam is that jam is sweet while Chutney is savory. Chutneys can be made with sweet ingredients like fruits, then added spices and vinegar turns the condiment into something spicy and fragrant. Jams often contain pectin that gives a thick texture. Chutneys have no added pectin, so they are chunky and full of pieces of dried fruit and raisins, or they can be blended until smooth.
Chutney and relish are very similar. Both are made with chopped vegetables, vinegar, and added spices. Typically, Chutney has a softer consistency and contains a variety of fruit pieces. Relish usually includes a single type of vegetable and no fruit.
Ok…..lesson over. This was my first attempt at Cherry Chutney, in the past, I have made peach chutney as a topping for pork, and it was delicious! Sweet Savory Cherry Chutney was even better! We used it on pork tenderloin (look for that recipe soon).
You can easily can Chutney. Given the short season of some fruits used in Chutney, that is probably a fantastic idea. I did not process this particular recipe, but I will be making another batch before the cherry season ends.
Looking for an unusual and totally unique condiment? Try our Sweet Savory Cherry Chutney while cherries are to be had!
Check out our Cherry Pistachio Sweet Rolls for a delicious treat!
Sweet Savory Cherry Chutney
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
4 cups pitted, chopped sweet, cherries
1 tsp fine sea salt
3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup organic apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup sweet onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard seed
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
Combine all chutney ingredients in a large, non-reactive pan, saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir frequently cook until onions chutney thickens, about 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to cool completely, then pack in an airtight container and refrigerate.
Notes
According to Still Tasty – Chutney that has been continuously refrigerated and will generally stay at best quality for about 2 months.
Keywords: cherries, brown sugar, vinegar, lime juice, garlic, mustard seed, ginger, spices, condiment, chutney
