• About us
  • Crafting
  • Food
    • Mains
    • Preserves
    • Puddings
    • Simply soups and sides
  • Grow your own
  • Parenting
  • Privacy policy
  • Reviews
  • Weleda
nipitinthebud.co.uk
  • About us
  • Food
    • Mains
    • Puddings
    • Soups and sides
    • Preserves
  • Crafting
  • Grow your own
  • Parenting
  • Privacy policy
  • Reviews
  • Weleda

slow cooked green tomato and rhubarb chutney

After a typically British summer my tomato plants flowered abundantly during the dry spells then struggled to ripen their fruit after weeks of rain.  For a short while I enjoyed cherry tomatoes plucked straight from the vine and mealtimes showered with oven roasted tomatoes.

Heaps of green tomatoes at the end of the summer might have made the heart of many a gardener sink into their boots.  Mine was popping out of my chest at a prize far greater than sun ripened red ones.

My interest in gardening sprang from an insatiable desire for my mother-in-laws green tomato chutney; a preserve that money can’t buy and supermarkets can’t supply the main ingredient for.  Growing my own green tomatoes was the only way to ensure a lifetime supply of my favourite chutney. 

Dealing with over 10lbs of green tomatoes this year called for more pots than I had available.  Using a slow cooker was a revelation and I still haven’t worked out why it’s never occurred to me before!  I was able to make up a recipe as I went along adding vinegar, sugar and spices as teaspoon tastings dictated.  For two very sour raw fruits I was surprised at how modest a measure of sugar was needed compared to other green tomato chutney recipes.  For the first several hours it seems like nothing is happening and there are no vinegary fumes to give the game away.  You can let it simmer on a low heat overnight (no more past-midnight bottling for me – hooray!) and in the morning jar it up at your own leisure.

to make green tomato and rhubarb chutney

1lb (450g) green tomatoes, sliced or whole if cherry tomatoes
1lb (450g) rhubarb, chunks
2 large red onions, sliced
0.5 lb (225g) apples, weight after peeling and chopping
0.25 lb (110g) raisins
0.5 pint (284ml) red wine vinegar
1.5 lb (675g) sugar
4 cloves
2 tsp ground allspice

  • Put the tomatoes, rhubarb, onions, apple and raisins into the slow cooker and set to a medium heat.  (I used frozen rhubarb which added some moisture to the pot – if using fresh add half a cup of water)
  • Allow to reduce for about 4 hours or until the fruit looks like it’s starting to break down.  Increase the heat setting to high and add the vinegar, sugar and spices gradually according to taste (and different combinations according to the flavours you like).  Stir well as you do this and return from time to time to check it.
  • Continue to cook for a further 6-8 hours or when it’s turned a rich brown colour and is the thickness you like.  If leaving overnight turn down to a low heat.
  • Enjoy with just about anything if you’re a chutney addict like me.  My current fave is on top of cheddar or soft cheese on a thick salted rice cake.

If you liked this chutney making post please share it or check out further preserves recipes here.

Thank you.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Post navigation

making purple potato salad (with Peruvian Purples and Gloucester Black Kidney spuds)
be content with what you have

24 comments

  • Rachel @ Suburban Yogini
    October 12, 2010

    Ah yes, we too had a million green tomatoes! Great recipe. I did a tomato and apple one here…. http://www.suburbanyogini.com/2010/10/06/humpday-recipe-tomato-chutney/

    Reply
  • Janet/Plantaliscious
    October 12, 2010

    That looks – and sounds – awesome. I only have a few green toms, so I guess I’ll have to save your post and hope for more next year…

    Reply
  • Bilbo
    October 13, 2010

    a prize far greater than sun ripened red ones

    I worry about you sometimes, I really do :} :} :}

    Reply
  • Johanna GGG
    October 13, 2010

    I have never made green tomato chutney nor tasted it but am always curious about it – I do agree that home made chutneys are priceless for being able to have flavours that you struggle to find in bought ones

    Reply
  • mary daniel
    November 1, 2010

    hye im doing a Christmas event in St Briavels pavillion hall on the 5th of december and wondered if you would like to join me with a stall with chutney and the likes.It is in aid of Alzheimers and a stall is £10. plus a raffle prize pleaselet me know if you would like to come.

    Reply
  • Nip it in the bud
    November 3, 2010

    Hi Mary, thanks for the kind offer. While I have more chutneys than one family needs it’s not enough to fill a stall.
    All the best with your Christmas Fayre.

    Reply
  • C is for … « Nip it in the bud
    August 4, 2011

    […] apple and carrot, spicy tomato and apple chutney if I get plenty of ripe tomatoes and green tomato chutney if I […]

    Reply
  • Alison
    September 17, 2012

    I’ve just used my slow cooker for the first time to make this – the first time I’ve made chutney. Totally delish! Hope you don’t mind if I share your recipe 🙂

    Reply
  • Nip it in the bud
    September 18, 2012

    great to hear Alison. My slow cooker just gathers dust at the moment and this was my first year of no tomatoes or chutney making :o( Very happy for you to share the recipe

    Reply
  • Beverley
    September 4, 2014

    Got loads of split tomatoes this year due to my neglect so chutney it is then I won’t waste them.

    Reply
    • Nip it in the bud
      September 4, 2014

      green tomatoes are definitely the best for chutney making – they’re entirely the reason I got my allotment since you can’t get them in the shops. Enjoy x

      Reply
  • Kate El Idrissi
    February 20, 2015

    I just finished making this without a slow cooker doubled the quantity and got 10 jars of deliciousness – I can tell already it’s going to be even more amazing once the flavours have developed over a few months. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Nip it in the bud
      February 20, 2015

      I’m so pleased Kate. I’ve not made any chutney for a couple of years and am getting towards the end of my stores. If you can bear the wait its worth hiding a couple of jars to happen across in a few years when they’ll be even more wonderful :0)

      Reply
  • margaret lynn Atkinson
    October 19, 2016

    I learned to prepare green tomato in USA. ..They sliced them and sprinkle do with salt .leave overnight.. This allows the water to seep out…I did this in the first batch but not second….much les fluid in the first batch at the end of processing. ..

    Reply
  • five ways with … a ton of rhubarb | Nip it in the bud
    November 20, 2017

    […] rhubarb and green tomato chutney […]

    Reply
  • Sheila
    October 13, 2018

    Hi – I have end of season green tomatoes and a friend invited me to take some rhubarb and guess what it led me here to your blog. If you are still blogging and following your site can you confirm that you don’t remove skins from tomatoes – Thanks

    Reply
    • Nip it in the bud
      October 13, 2018

      Hi Sheila, lovely to hear from you especially as someone about to make tomato chutney. I don’t remove the skins x

      Reply
      • Sheila
        October 13, 2018

        wow – thank you so much for quick response – just discovered I don’t have any red wine vinegar – would you suggest waiting until I can shop for it or have you had equal success using white or cider vinegar both
        I do have.

        Reply
        • Nip it in the bud
          October 13, 2018

          If you’re in a chutney making mood I’d definitely roll with whatever you have on the cupboard. I rarely use whatever is listed in a recipe as I’m often chopping and stirring in the evening. I’ve used cider vinegar and malt vinegar and don’t really notice the difference. Enjoy x

          Reply
          • Sheila
            October 13, 2018

            I’ll get right on it then woo hoo can’t wait –

  • Sheila
    October 14, 2018

    Hi- I fell asleep after step one and think I cooked too long before adding the second set of ingredients. The chutney appears runny, but still tastes good and is successfully canned. Thanks for posting and advice. Any suggestions for runny chutney would be welcome.

    Reply
    • Nip it in the bud
      October 14, 2018

      I’m in the runny chutney gang too! The only way I’ve found to thicken it is use less vinegar from the start or add more sugar which I don’t like doing. So my main method is to strain off the excess liquid and bottle it for the next batch!

      Reply
      • Sheila
        October 14, 2018

        Wow thanks you have lifted my spirit – great idea – I am glad to have heard at the lids pop and when I open it I will strain it a bit as I go. I got 3 500ml jars and a 250 plus a wee half jar which went nicely with breakfast. I processed it 13 minutes and lids popped immediately. I am so happy with myself now. Thanks for posting and thanks for helping me along the way. I did go shopping and used wine vinegar in the end- liked the overnight thing although I will use an alarm next time

        Reply
    • Nip it in the bud
      October 14, 2018

      Oh and something I tried this year which seemed to help was slicing all the tomatoes the day before and salting them overnight. So much water came out of them!

      Reply

Share your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Come again

We hope you liked it here. Please subscribe to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow us

  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Top Posts & Pages

  • making Delia Smith's one pot Basque Chicken
  • painted tyre garden planters
  • making Pam Corbin's River Cottage Preserves redcurrant jelly
  • making Nigel Slater's Festive Chocolate Flapjacks
  • making damson and orange jam
  • making Delia's spiced damson chutney
  • baking with chickpea flour - gluten free banana cake
  • five ways with... a ton of damsons
  • tiny toes and a tale of two barefoot reviews
  • making cauliflower and almond soup (a Covent Garden Soup Co. recipe)

Tags

  • #30dayswild
  • #meandmine
  • #myheartylife
  • 5 ways with ...
  • A-Z challenge
  • anxiety
  • artists at work
  • best friend brothers
  • cats
  • childhood unplugged
  • christmas
  • crafting
  • Euan
  • foraging
  • gardening with kids
  • George
  • Gloucestershire
  • gluten free
  • grief
  • hand-made
  • in pictures
  • Kindness Elves
  • knitting
  • Luca
  • marriage
  • miscarriage
  • Mothers Day
  • National Trust
  • natural beauty
  • preserves
  • quotes
  • remembering Mum
  • Review
  • self care
  • sheds
  • special occasions
  • sugar free
  • traditions
  • vegetables
  • wildlife

Join us on Instagram

inipitinthebud

Home learning was less painful today after spendin Home learning was less painful today after spending some time crafting first.  Euan loves Dav Pilkey's Dogman books and in the back of the latest one Grime and Punishment are instructions for making your own lunch bag monster.  Euan just got straight onto making his monster and I enjoyed making Luca's.  Munchy then went on a rampage at the park 😆
Home learning might be a headache but no objection Home learning might be a headache but no objections here to easy dinner inspired by Euan's Ancient Greeks theme (none of it home made or ancient!). 
Thank you Lidl!  #standardsslipping 🙈
9 years of loving this gorgeous soul. Happy Birth 9 years of loving this gorgeous soul.  Happy Birthday darling Euan ❤️
I've spent the weekend mostly indoors attending We I've spent the weekend mostly indoors attending Weleda training and preparing for Euan's birthday tomorrow.  So here's a few pics of a very muddy walk this week at Barnwood Arboretum which included hugging a giant redwood tree 🌳💚
We made origami spiders! Who needs school when yo We made origami spiders! 
Who needs school when you've got Art for Kids hub 💕
.
#childhoodunplugged #gloucesterlife
Silly Sunday afternoon fun with filters 💕 #gl Silly Sunday afternoon fun with filters 💕
 
#gloucesterlife #lovemyboys💙 #photogrid
Seeking meal planning inspo. What are your favour Seeking meal planning inspo.  What are your favourite recipes to cater for all tastes and ages? 
The open book is the Bosch recipe book so really interested in vegetarian/vegan suggestions too x
We went for the muddiest walk today but it was so We went for the muddiest walk today but it was so good to get outside.  Luca did a spectacular welly boot save when the mud suckered it off but he managed to land his foot back inside it without falling over.  The boys were wet through by the time we got back to the car.  They soon warmed up at Grandad's sat in pants watching cartoons and eating crisps.  A pretty stellar day all in all!
front view: back view courtesy of big brother 😘 front view: back view courtesy of big brother 😘
Running off some steam after a few days indoors. Running off some steam after a few days indoors.  We're lucky to live in a fab city where historic sites, green spaces and waterways are all within a 20 minute walk from home.  It seemed the perfect day for getting a few pics to round off the 2020 album.  According to G the days of "normal" smiles in photos are long gone.  We live with a pair of comedians! 
.
#childhoodunplugged #gloucesterlife
Starting a new Christmas tradition with a 1000 pie Starting a new Christmas tradition with a 1000 piece puzzle.  Turns out the tube makes it really tricky to look at the picture and the pieces are pretty small.  Could be here a while - see you in January!
One of the jobs I didn't get round to before Chris One of the jobs I didn't get round to before Christmas was freeing up space on my phone for photos 🙈. So rationed to just one picture you get 50% of the Moorey's wishing you a Merry Christmas.  Sending love and hugs out to all corners of the world and sharing the stories of Christmas past to remember those no longer with us.  Lots of love x
Not your usual shopping list for Christmas Eve eve Not your usual shopping list for Christmas Eve eve but loss has been such a big part of this year and the opportunity to remember loved ones together is so comforting.  We don't have candles at home since a near accident with a cat tail many moons ago so  Luca and I dashed off into the rain this morning to get some beautiful vegan plant wax candles from @idunspirit .  We'll join the circle of light remembering loved ones tomorrow at 7pm. 
.
My Mum passed away peacefully at @sueryderleckhampton 2 years ago and I was touched by the idea of a shared remembrance on Christmas Eve.  I bought a candle for my Dad and dear friend who will be missing her Mum too. 
.
Sending love and courage to all who are heavy hearted missing  loved ones this Christmas.  Especially to those who are missing a parent, sibling or child.  3 friends have lost Dad's in the last week and the pain of wondering how to make sense of life without them is the journey they now face.  Lean in to support and feel all the feels.  Huge hugs dear ones x
.
(Please comment below if you're remembering someone.  The boys have asked to join me to remember Nana as well as their beloved cats Poppet and Mikey and we'd happily include a tribute to your loved ones in our thoughts)
We went to our favourite local gardens yesterday a We went to our favourite local gardens yesterday and my friend said "ooh I'm just going to pick up some of the fallen greenery for my Christmas wreath". What a good idea I thought as we've never made one (with a house opening on to the pavement i always presumed it would soon  disappear if I did make or buy one!). 
.
Using a couple of ivy twines to make my egg shaped circle I just used some multicoloured yarn to wrap around it and secure the foliage.  It looked pretty ropey until I sewed on some of the dried orange slices from my friend Lisa's home made pot pourri.  Transformed and ready to hang on the door when I work out how! 
.
#gloucesterlife #christmascrafting #wreathmaking
Happy Solstice everyone. If you take a walk down Happy Solstice everyone.  If you take a walk down our street over Christmas this is the view of our downstairs window.  Isn't it gorgeous.  George's contribution to the #kingsholmadventwindow
Who recognises the woods and the hilltop view? Su Who recognises the woods and the hilltop view?  Such a gorgeous bright day yesterday for a walk, made all the more lovely for the company of a dear friend
#nofilter #lovenature
For the last few weeks kids all across Kingsholm h For the last few weeks kids all across Kingsholm have been on the hunt for painted advent pebbles.  Each Sunday parishioners from St Catharine's church have hidden them and a buzz begins about where they might be found. 
.
Today after school we went up to Hillfield Gardens to find an angel for Luca.  We'd already resolved to make some ourselves if we weren't lucky enough to find one.  We now how our official @stcatsglos nativity set and our newly growing Moorey version which includes a duck and a rocket (of course!). I love how this act of community is sparking new conversations and growing friendships through rock swaps and rehides. 
.
#kingsholmrocks #communityspirit #stcatsglos #findingjesus
= New blog post = . Find out what happened when L = New blog post =
 .
Find out what happened when Luca was let loose on a Boredom Bag (link in bio) 
.
He made:
* a worry doll
* a glittery pine cone
* a flower out of scrap
* cheese twists to eat 
* a bean bag for catching games
* a moustachy disguise
* an animated chin video! 
We still have activities to work through!  For more details visit Ellie's page @boredombagsuk 
.
#gloucesterlife #boredombags #childhoodunplugged #creativity #craftingwithkids
Oh what a lovely morning I've had at Charlies Canc Oh what a lovely morning I've had at Charlies Cancer Support and Therapy Centre in Gloucester.  Jo who runs the centre is the first person outside of my family to receive an aromatherapy massage from me.  Jo  experienced the soothing effects of a wild rose facial and hand massage in the tranquil surroundings of her own treatment room! 
.
I don't have a therapy space at home so Jo is kindly letting me use her treatment room when Charlie's is closed on Fridays.  If you'd like to take advantage of free hands-on wellbeing support I'm asking for a £10 donation to Charlie's in exchange for the beautiful space.  I already have my 11am slots booked out but if you're local and can be in the centre of Gloucester at 9.30am do get in touch (I'll be working my way through my volunteers list so don't worry if you've already told me you're interested). 
.
What a lovely way for Jo to start a very busy day.  Today she treated the volunteers to a pre-Christmas lunch while drawing the annual Charlie's raffle.  Over £2000 was raised and hundreds of prized gifted.  Christmas come early for some today x
.
#aromatherapystudent #practicingselfcare #weledalove #loveyourskin #loveyourbody #organicskincare #naturalingredients
I came back from college on Saturday to this lovel I came back from college on Saturday to this lovely gift from Euan.  He'd spent most of the day making my "Happy Messages" advent calendar.  How lucky am I to have such a kind hearted boy 💗
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Featured on

JakiJellz

Weleda Ambassador

Weleda Cleaner Beauty Ambassador - Weleda.co.uk

Audible free trial

Categories

Archives

  • Elara by LyraThemes
  • Made by LyraThemes.com
%d bloggers like this: