Mimi & Anna’s Chutney

Ingredients

2 pounds apples or hard pears (7-8 cups), chopped coarsely
1 3/4 pounds onions, finely chopped finely
3 green peppers (1/2 pound), chopped finely
2 hot peppers (seeds removed) chopped finely
1 pound raisins

2 ounces garlic, chopped
1 piece ginger root (peeled), chopped
1 tablespoon white mustard seed
1/2 tablespoon celery seed
1/2 tablespoon whole allspice

1 pint cider vinegar
1 1/2 pound white sugar (about 4 cups)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions

Tie chopped garlic, chopped ginger root, white mustard seed, celery seed, and whole allspice in a cheesecloth bag.

In a large pot dissolve sugar in vinegar, add spice bag,, then all chopped ingredients and raisins. Add salt to taste. Remove spice bag after 20 minutes, or you can leave it in longer for a bit more flavor.

Cook until thick and clear, but you do not want the apples or pears to turn to mush.

If it gets too thick make a syrup of 1 cup sugar dissolved in 1/2 cup water – you may add a few slices of garlic to the syrup mixture while cooking, but remember to remove it before adding the liquid to the pot.