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    You are here: Home / Special Diets / Gluten Free / Damson Chutney

    Damson Chutney

    25 November 2020 - By Michelle Minnaar
    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Have you tried spiced damson chutney? I’d go so far as to say it’s the very best. The chutney champ. Don’t believe me? Make it once and you’ll see just how amazing spiced damson chutney really is.

    Damson chutney on bread and cheese

    Spicy, tangy, rich and delicious it goes with so many different types of foods. It's an absolute gourmet gift from the culinary gods!

    CHUTNEY EQUIPMENT YOU NEED

    Check out the ultimate list to chutney making equipment. You actually don't need that much and most of the items are quite affordable!

    Making your own preserves is a great and satisfying hobby. Giving the gift the lovely food to your friends and family are especially rewarding!

    SHOW ME
    damson, apple, onion, vinegar, spices, sugar

    What do damsons look like?

    They are small purple fruits that are part of the plum family. While plums are normally round, a damson tends to be oval in shape. They are also slightly smaller than plums.

    What do damsons taste like?

    While plums and damsons look similar, their flesh has a very different texture. Plums are juicy and sweet, while the flesh of a damson is a lot drier and the taste is not as sweet.

    What is chutney?

    A spicy, savory dip, it is made from fruits, vegetables and herbs with added vinegar sugar and select spices. It pairs well with anything from curries and cooked meats to cheese and bread.

    The term chutney used to be specific to a certain mixture of fruits,vegetables and spices with a specific texture. Now, there are so many different types made from a large range of ingredients and the definition is a lot looser.

    What are the origins of chutney?

    Originally a way of preserving food, chutneys date back over 2,000 years to the Indian subcontinent. Back then, it was made in a form of paste or thick sauce, much different to the chunky texture of modern chutneys.

    It was eventually picked up by the Romans and, later during the colonial era, the British. The Brits made it commercially in the 20th century and it eventually became a popular dish all over the world, with many more different types springing up.  

    When are damsons in season?

    Jar of fresh jam to learn how to make a damson jam

    They are usually harvested between late August and October. This makes them perfect for fruity comfort food that brings a touch of summer, like jams and pies.

    How do you know when damsons are ripe?

    If it is firm, it’s not ripe. A ripe damson should be a little bit soft. Even when it’s soft and ripe, it won’t be quite as sweet as a plum. Still, it’s all about the flavour it brings when it’s cooked.

    How do you remove the stones when you make damson jam?

    The best way to remove the damson stones is to use a cherry pitter. Make sure you choose damsons that are ripe and each stone should come away easily.

    Another way to remove the stones is to put them in a pan of water and simmer until they soften. This will make removing the stones a lot easier.

    You could also freeze the damsons. When thawed, the stone will come away a lot easier – just use a knife to cut down the length of the damson and then give it a twist. Then lever the stone out.

    Are damsons good for you?

    These little purple fruits are very good for you and have many great health benefits. These health benefits range from protecting against heart disease, boosting your immune system, improving digestive health, increasing energy, lowering cholesterol, strengthening bones, and decreasing the risk of certain types of cancer.

    What else can you make with damsons?

    Aside from making a delicious spiced chutney, you can also use them to make an amazing jam. Check out my delicious damson jam recipe!

    Jay of damson chutney with a slice of bread and cheese smothered in damson chutney

    More delicious chutney recipes

    If this fantastic spiced recipe whet your appetite, why not give some of these recipes a go?

    • Plum chutney – if you enjoyed the damson recipe, you’ve got to try plum!
    • Green chutney – this spicy green chutney is one of the easiest Indian side dishes. It tastes amazing when paired with Indian snacks such as pakoras and bhajis
    • Bombay chutney – full of flavour and very fiery, this classic Indian chutney goes well with just about any Indian snack. Once you’ve made your own, you’ll be hooked
    • Persimmon chutney – a beautiful, bright, vibrant chutney with a unique taste, persimmon chutney is a great recipe if you want to impress your friends and family
    • Carrot chutney – a very healthy, fresh chutney that’s spicy and tangy, carrot chutney also has a nice kick thanks to the cayenne pepper and ginger
    • Runner bean chutney – green, healthy and full of flavour, this recipe is comprised of simple ingredients and makes the perfect accompaniment to big hearty roast dinners
    • Pear chutney - Elevate your cheese board or charcuterie plate with this sweet and spicy pear chutney, made with ripe pears, warm spices, and a touch of vinegar. I also have an Asian pear chutney.
    • Cherry chutney - a delicious condiment that adds a burst of fruity goodness to your meals.
    • Grape chutney - a vibrant chutney that pairs perfectly with cheese
    • Blueberry chutney - pick your own blueberries in the summer and make a tasty chutney
    Print
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    Close up up damson chutney on bread with cheese

    Damson Chutney


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Michelle Minnaar
    • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
    • Yield: 90 servings of 30ml (2 tbsp) 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Make the most of your glut of damsons by making this damson chutney recipe. Cooked with apple and gently spiced, it's fab served as part of a cheeseboard. It makes a great homemade foodie gift as well!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 900g (2lbs) damsons, pitted
    • 2 large Bramley apples, peeled, cored, and cut into small cubes
    • 450g (1lb) onions, peeled and finely chopped
    • 450g (1lb) raisins
    • 1 green chilli, washed and finely chopped
    • 450g (1lb) brown sugar
    • 1g (1/2 tsp) cayenne pepper
    • 11g (2 tsp) salt
    • 2g (1 tsp) ground allspice
    • 3g (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
    • 3g (1 tsp) ground ginger
    • 2g (2 tsp) freshly ground pepper
    • 6 juniper berries
    • 750ml (1 1/2pt) white wine vinegar
    • 10ml (2 tsp) balsamic vinegar

    Instructions

    1. Place all the ingredients in a large heavy bottomed saucepan.
    2. Heat the contents slowly until boiling point is reached.
    3. Turn the heat down until a consistent slow simmering point is reached.
    4. Cook for at least 2 hours but no more than 5. Check on it every 30 minutes and stir occasionally.
    5. Towards the end of cooking time stir the chutney more to ensure that nothing sticks and burns at the bottom. It will thicken when it cools.
    6. Pour into sterilised containers and seal with airtight lids. Enjoy as part of a cheeseboard!

    Notes

    • You can use a cherry pitter to stone the damsons.
    • The apples should weigh roughly 450g (1lb) in total.
    • This recipe yields 6 x 370ml (1lb) and 3 x 185ml (½lb) jars.
    • This chutney makes a great homemade Christmas gift!
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 3 hours
    • Category: Chutney
    • Method: Boil
    • Cuisine: British

    Keywords: damson chutney, damson recipe, vegan damson recipe, damson and apple chutney

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @greedygourmet on Instagram and hashtag it #greedygourmet

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    Comments

    1. Ellie

      April 21, 2022 at 2:58 pm

      Once I saw the picture on the recipe card I knew I had to replicate it and just have the chutney with some bread and cheese, wow what an incredible flavour.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Michelle Minnaar

        April 22, 2022 at 2:48 pm

        Nothing goes better with this chutney! Thanks Ellie.

        Reply

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