Directions:

• In a medium bowl, break dried tamarind into chunks and soak in 4 cups (1 L) warm water for a minimum of 20 minutes. Squeeze and break up tamarind under the water with your fingers. Pour through a sieve into a non-metallic bowl, pressing tamarind with back of a spoon to extract all the liquid, remembering to scrape the bottom side of the sieve to remove pulp clinging to it. Measure 3 cups (750 ml) tamarind pulp.


• Meanwhile, put cumin seeds in a dry frying pan and heat, on high, shaking seeds and roasting for about 2 minutes or until seeds are golden brown and begin to smoke. Transfer to small bowl and allow to cool. Grind in a coffee or spice mill.


• Place 5 clean 250 ml mason jars on a rack in a boiling water canner. Cover jars with water and heat to a simmer (180°F/82°C). Set screw bands aside. Keep jars hot until ready to use.


• Preheating Bernardin® lids is not advised. The sealing compound used for our home canning lids performs better at room temperature than it does pre-heated in simmering water (180°F). Simply wash lids in hot, soapy water, dry, and set aside until needed. Preheating can lead to less vacuum being achieved during water bath canning, and to buckle failures during pressure canning.


• In a large stainless steel saucepan, over medium heat, combine tamarind pulp, ground roasted cumin, sugar, raisins, ginger, salt, black pepper and cayenne; bring to a boil. Remove from heat.


• Ladle chutney into a hot jar to within 1/2 inch (1 cm) of top of jar (headspace). Using nonmetallic utensil, remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if required, by adding more chutney. Wipe jar rim removing any food residue. Centre hotsealing discs on clean jar rim. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight. Return filled jar to rack in canner. Repeat for remaining chutney.


• When canner is filled, ensure that all jars are covered by at least one inch (2.5 cm) of water. Cover canner and bring water to full rolling boil before starting to count processing time. At altitudes up to 1000 ft (305 m), process –boil filled jars – 15 minutes.*


• When processing time is complete, remove canner lid, wait 5 minutes, then remove jars without tilting and place them upright on a protected work surface. Cool upright, undisturbed 24 hours; DO NOT RETIGHTEN screw bands.


• After cooling check jar seals. Sealed discs curve downward and do not move when pressed. Remove screw bands; wipe and dry bands and jars. Store screw bands separately or replace loosely on jars, as desired. Label and store jars in a cool, dark place. For best quality, use home canned foods within one year.

Notes & Tips