INGREDIENTS
4 Hale Groves tangerines
12 ounces fresh cranberries
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons fresh gingerroot, peeled and chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 red hot pepper, seeded and finely chopped (the larger the hotter)
1 3-inch cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves
4 whole allspice berries
PREPARATION
Peel the tangerines. Scrape the white pith strands from them and sliver enough peel to make 1/4 cup. Place the peel in a large nonreactive saucepan with the cranberries, sugar, vinegar, raisins, ginger, garlic, and hot pepper. Tie the spices in a spice bag or piece of cheesecloth and add to the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the cranberries begin to pop. Simmer the mixture for 8 to 10 additional minutes, stirring frequently.
Meanwhile, scrape off any white pith from the tangerines. Separate the segments and cut off the inner edge of each one, removing any seeds. Chop the tangerine sections coarsely and add them to the pot. Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes, until it has thickened, stirring often to prevent sticking. Remove the spice bag and ladle the mixture into hot sterile jars. Seal and process in a boiling-water bath for 10 minutes. Then store in a refrigerator or cool place for up to 3 weeks. It’s best to let the chutney stand for at least a week before serving.
Boiling-Water Bath
A boiling water bath is not suitable for canning all types of food, but it works well for finishing and sealing in this instance. It’s purpose its to kill yeasts, molds, and bacteria that cannot live at 212 degrees, the temperature of boiling water. It also forces out any air trapped in the tissues of the food and in the jar itself. Thus, it creates a vacuum that allows the jars to seal themselves for longer storage. It’s easiest to use half-pint jars because the size of the pot increases with the jar’s size. For half-pint jars you will need a 16 quart stock pot and a rack, which will allow water to circulate and hold the jars 3/4 inch to 1 inch above the bottom of the pot. The same can be used to sterilize the lids. Place the jars on the rack with at least 1 inch between them. Fill the pot with water to 1 1/2 inches above the jars. Start timing and boil the jars 10 minutes. Remove the jars with tongs and turn off heat. Fill jars with the hot preserves. Seal with new lids and return them to the pot of hot water with at least 1 inch between them. They should be covered by 1 to 2 inches of water. Add more boiling water if necessary. There should be a 1 to 2 inch space between the water and the lid for "boiling room". Turn heat back on high. Bring to a full rolling boil. Then start timing. Process 10 to 15 minutes at a full boil. Remove jars with tongs and allow to cool.
YIELD: 3 pints.
Preparation time:45 minutes, plus at least 1 week
for curing.