Ingredients:

1.25kg ripe but firm plums, halved and stoned.

500g small cooking apples, cored and chopped

500g onions or shallots, chopped

2-3 large fresh red chillies, seeded and chopped

175g soft brown sugar

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp five-spice powder or ground allspice

¼ tsp ground cloves or 3 whole cloves crushed

¼ whole nutmeg, grated

¾ tbsp sea salt

Method:

• Put everything into a large pan with 250ml water. Heat until the fruit begins to break down and soften. Simmer gently for 30 mins.
• To sterilize the jars, wash thoroughly in hot soapy water. Rinse in hot water then put in the oven at 140C/fan 120C/gas 1 until dry.
• Cool the chutney for 10 minutes then pot into the warm sterilized jars.
• Enjoy your chutney! Perfect as a homemade gift.

Very tasty served with good strong cheddar or other firm cheese, good accompaniment with cold meats too.