Green tomato chutney.

 I admit, I do grow rather too many tomatoes, and last year was no exception. I had about 18 plants of 3 different varieties (6 of each),taking over the poly-tunnel. What I didn't have was my favourite variety "Gardeners Delight", just couldn't get hold of any seeds here in France, next year (which of course is this year now) I should be ok. as Mrs "stuff to do" brought some back with her from her last UK. trip. Take my word for it, they are the best tasting heritage tomato around.

After freezing some, bottling some, giving loads away, I was still left as usual with lots of green ones which I managed to pick before the first frost, which was early this year.

So, chutney it was. I usually make Hugh Fernley Whitinstall's Gluttney but still having some of that left from last year I decided on something different, something more simple, so I gather together the following ingredients.

1kg green tomatoes

1kg onions

a few cloves of garlic

about 1tsp each of cayenne, salt and pepper.

500grm brown sugar

1ltr cider vinegar

chopped everything up into pretty small chunks and brought it up to the boil. Luckily I had lit the wood burner fire so I transferred everything over and sat the pot on top just to keep it at a slow simmer, it probably took about 3 hours to look like chutney should look (brown and most of the liquid gone). Just keep an eye on it and give it a stir every now and again. I then put it into jars, printed off some free labels from the internet (couldn't find the exact ones, but I know what it is!!) and put them in the cellar until next year perhaps when I find them again.

Made about 5 and a bit jars. Already given one to a friend and the "bit" is in the fridge being slowly noshed with some lovely French cheese. All I have to do now is think of something to do with the remaining 2kg.

ENJOY.