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The chutney can be processed in a water bath
for longer storage, or refrigerated or frozen.
(Photos: Debbie Arrington)
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Summer brings a mixed bag of fruit as plums, apricots and pluots pile up in my refrigerator drawer. Meanwhile, tomatoes are taking over the counter space.
This easy chutney makes use of them all in a sweet-savory combination. I call it P.A.T. – plum-apricot-tomato – but pluots (which are a cross of plums and apricots) work, too.
No peeling necessary. Roughly chop the fruit and let it cook down slowly. The longer it simmers, the thicker it becomes.
Makes 6 cups or half-pint jars
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 cups onions, finely chopped
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
¼ cup red wine
¼ cup fig balsamic vinegar
½ cup sugar
4 pounds plums, pluots and/or apricots, pitted and roughly chopped
1 pound tomatoes, hulled and roughly chopped
1 cup raisins
1 teaspoon lemon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions:
In a large, heavy pot, melt butter or margarine. Sauté chopped onions until soft.
Add broth, wine, balsamic vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil.
Add fruit and tomatoes. Return to boil, then reduce to simmer and cover.
After tomatoes and fruit start to break down, remove cover and add raisins.
Simmer uncovered, stirring often, until chutney is desired thickness. For thick, jamlike consistency, simmer chutney at least 1 hour, stirring often to prevent scorching.
Add pepper, salt and paprika. Adjust seasoning.
Refrigerate or freeze in half-pint containers. This chutney will keep at least a month in a covered jar in the refrigerator.
Or process jars 10 minutes in a hot-water bath.
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Dig In: Garden Checklist
For week of March 26:
Sacramento can expect another inch of rain from this latest storm. Leave the sprinklers off at least another week. Temps will dip down into the low 30s early in the week, so avoid planting tender seedlings (such as tomatoes). Concentrate on these tasks before or after this week’s rain:
* Fertilize roses, annual flowers and berries as spring growth begins to appear.
* Knock off aphids with a strong blast of water or some bug soap as soon as they appear.
* Pull weeds now! Don’t let them get started. Take a hoe and whack them as soon as they sprout.
* Prepare summer vegetable beds. Spade in compost and other amendments.
* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs after bloom.
* Feed camellias at the end of their bloom cycle. Pick up browned and fallen flowers to help corral blossom blight.
* Feed citrus trees, which are now in bloom and setting fruit.
To prevent sunburn and borer problems on young trees, paint the exposed portion of the trunk with diluted white latex (water-based) interior paint. Dilute the paint with an equal amount of cold water before application.
* Cut back and fertilize perennial herbs to encourage new growth.
* Seed and renovate the lawn (if you still have one). Feed cool-season grasses such as bent, blue, rye and fescue with a slow-release fertilizer. Check the irrigation system and perform maintenance. Make sure sprinkler heads are turned toward the lawn, not the sidewalk.
* In the vegetable garden, transplant lettuce and kale.
* Seed chard and beets directly into the ground.
* Plant summer bulbs, including gladiolus, tuberous begonias and callas. Also plant dahlia tubers.
* Shop for perennials. Many varieties are available in local nurseries and at plant events. They can be transplanted now while the weather remains relatively cool.
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