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Bush tomato chutney
Chutney with akudjura, the dried desert raisin
Bush tomato, known as akudjura or desert raisin, is the small fruit of a desert plant gathered by Aboriginal people in Central Australia and around Alice Springs; dried and ground, it tastes of caramel, tamarillo and sun-dried tomato. A spoon of it turns an ordinary tomato chutney into something rich and smoky, great with cheese, barbecues and burgers. Buy ground akudjura from a native food supplier; only the ripe dried fruit of the right species is safe to eat, so never forage it. A common mistake is adding too much; it is strong. Chef's tip: toast the ground bush tomato in the oil first to wake up its flavour.
- Total time
- 75 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 16
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 onionsfinely chopped
- 2 cloves garliccrushed
- 2 ¼ lb ripe tomatoeschopped
- 1 green applepeeled and grated
- 5 ½ oz brown sugar
- ¾ cup cider vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy pan and fry 2 onions for 6–8 minutes until soft. Add 2 tsp ground bush tomato (akudjura) and 2 cloves garlic and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
8 minStep 2: Add 2 ¼ lb ripe tomatoes, 1 green apple, 5 ½ oz brown sugar, ¾ cup cider vinegar, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp chilli flakes and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
5 minStep 3: Simmer uncovered for 45–50 minutes, stirring more often near the end, until thick and jammy and a spoon drawn across the base leaves a clear trail.
50 minStep 4: Spoon into hot sterilised jars and seal. Keep in a cool place for up to 3 months; refrigerate once opened.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 16 g
- Fat
- 1 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bush tomato chutney take?
- About 75 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 16 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of onions?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of ground bush tomato (akudjura)?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
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