Pumpkin Chutney

Now's the time of year to start loading up on home-canned delectibles for your holiday table and to give as gifts.  To make a real stand out statement, look for or create recipes with unusual ingredients.  This pumpkin chutney is the essence of fall and Thanksgiving, though properly canned it can be enjoyed year-round.

PUMPKIN CHUTNEY

7 lb. cooking pumpkin
2 lbs. tart apples
2" length of peeled ginger root, minced

2 sweet onions

5 cloves garlic
1 T. ground black pepper

2 T. whole coriander seed

1 T. ground allspice
2 T. whole yellow mustard seed
1 T. salt
4 c. malt vinegar
2 c. white vinegar
1 c. dried currants
1 c. pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
4 c. light brown sugar

With a sharp heavy knife, cut the pumpkin into 1/2" cubes, skin removed. The peeled apples should be sliced in 1/4" half-moons.Dice the onions and mince the garlic. 

Combine everything in a large non-reactive pot and simmer for two hours. For the 1st hour leave the lid on, then for the second hour take the lid off so the liquid boils down creating a syrup. Stir occassionaly throughout the process, especially more so towards the end when the mixture is thicker and in more danger of scortching.

Ladle into hot sterilized jars, seal, and process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes.

Like most chutneys, Pumpkin Chutney benefits from a couple of weeks of resting to meld all the flavors.  This recipes makes 16 8 oz. jars.

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