South African Dried Peach Chutney
Sweet & tangy South African dried peach chutney
This dried peach chutney is a classic South African condiment of dried peaches simmered with onion, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and warm spices until thick, sweet and tangy. It takes about an hour and a half, most of it hands-off, and fills around three 250ml jars.
It starts with Lifestyle Food Dried Peaches, soaked until plump, and gets its tang from Lifestyle Food Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar. Serve it with curry, cheese boards, cold meats or anything off the braai.
Ingredients
- 250g Lifestyle Food Dried Peaches, halved or roughly chopped
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 apple, peeled and grated (optional)
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup raisins (optional)
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger or ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½–1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp sea salt
How to make dried peach chutney
- Soak the dried peaches in the warm water for 20–30 minutes until softened. Keep the soaking liquid.
- Add the peaches and their soaking liquid to a saucepan with the onion, garlic, apple, vinegar, brown sugar, raisins (if using), ginger, all the spices and the salt.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 35–45 minutes, stirring now and then, until the peaches are soft and the chutney has thickened. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water.
- Taste and adjust, adding a little extra vinegar for more tang or sugar if you’d like it sweeter.
- Spoon the hot chutney into sterilised jars, seal and leave to cool completely.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Soaking time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Makes: About 3 x 250ml jars
Dried peach chutney FAQs
- How long does homemade peach chutney last?
Kept in sterilised jars in the fridge, it lasts for up to a month. For longer shelf storage, process the jars using safe canning methods, but only if you’re experienced with home canning.
- What do you eat peach chutney with?
It’s a natural partner for curries and bobotie, and works well on cheese boards, with cold meats, in sandwiches and alongside anything from the braai.
- Can I use fresh peaches instead of dried?
You can, but the texture and timing will change. Dried peaches give a deeper, more concentrated flavour and hold their shape better, which is what makes this chutney chunky.
- How do I make it spicier or milder?
Use the full teaspoon of chilli flakes for a gentle kick, or leave them out completely for a mild, family-friendly chutney.
- Can I add other spices?
Yes. A star anise or a cinnamon stick added while it simmers gives a warmer, more aromatic chutney. Remove them before spooning it into jars.
Keep a bag of Lifestyle Food Dried Peaches in the pantry for chutney, baking and snacking.
