Description
Spicy and tangy gooseberry chutney dances with Indian culinary tradition, blending sharp fruit notes and complex spices. Homemade preservation brings delightful zest you can enjoy alongside grilled meats, breads, or as a quick condiment to elevate simple meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups gooseberries (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Sweeteners:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup sugar
Spices and Liquid:
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 whole allspice
Instructions
- Combine sugars, vinegar, and nutmeg in a saucepan, heating until the mixture reaches a rolling boil and sugars completely melt.
- Gently fold in fresh gooseberries, ensuring even distribution throughout the liquid.
- Create a spice bundle by wrapping cinnamon stick, cloves, and allspice in cheesecloth, securing with kitchen twine.
- Submerge the spice bundle into the simmering fruit mixture, allowing flavors to infuse gradually.
- Reduce heat to low and let the chutney simmer uncovered, stirring periodically to prevent scorching, for approximately 25-30 minutes until the consistency becomes thick and syrupy.
- Carefully remove the spice bundle, gently pressing to extract remaining aromatic essences.
- Allow the chutney to cool slightly at room temperature, maintaining its warm, fragrant profile.
- Transfer the cooled chutney into clean, sterilized glass jars, leaving minimal headspace.
- Refrigerate for optimal freshness up to 3 weeks or freeze for extended preservation up to 3 months, ensuring proper sealing to maintain quality.
Notes
- Swap refined sugars with honey or maple syrup for a natural, lower-glycemic sweetener that adds unique depth to the chutney’s flavor profile.
- Choose slightly underripe gooseberries for a tangier, firmer texture that holds up better during cooking and provides a bright, zesty kick.
- Use a wide, heavy-bottomed pan to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning, helping the chutney develop rich caramelized notes without scorching.
- For a gluten-free and vegan version, replace cheesecloth with a reusable tea infuser or make a spice bundle using clean kitchen twine to secure whole spices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 58 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg