Courgette Chutney

I was wondering what to do with the remainder of the courgettes, and decided to make some chutney;

Ingredients

1kg (2 1/4lb) Courgettes, chopped
4 large red onions, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1tbsp ground coriander
2tsp mustard seeds
200g (7oz) sultanas
350g (12oz) white granulated sugar
2tsp salt or to taste
500ml (16floz) white wine vinegar
1 level tbsp ground ginger
2tsp chilli flakes

Put all the ingredients except the sugar into a pan and heat gently to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the veg is soft.

Then, add the sugar and stir gently over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Turn up the heat and simmer until most of the liquid has gone. The courgette should still be quite chunky.

Pot into jars and seal.

Although we tried this chutney on Sunday and it was very nice, I believe it would be much better once matured, so I will try it again in 2-3 weeks. I will let you know how it tastes then.

Courgette again

Well I have lots of courgettes and I was looking through a Rosemary Conley cookbook and found a recipe for Courgette and Basil Soup, so thought I would share it with you;

Ingredients;

2lb courgettes
2 medium onions chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 pint of vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
1/2 pint skimmed milk
salt and pepper
approx 20 fresh basil leaves

So, first of all top and tail the courgettes and roughly chop. Place them into a large pan with the other ingredients, except the milk and basil. Bring the pan to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 - 20 mins until the veg is soft.

Allow the soup to cool slightly and then liquidise in batches until smooth, adding a little milk and a few basil leaves to each batch

Return the soup to the pan and season to taste.

You can adjust the consistency of this soup by adding more or less milk, depending on how thick you like it.

You could of course add any veg that you like to the soup, not just courgettes.

This soup also freezes well so is a good way of preserving your courgettes to enjoy in the winter months.