We’ve been busy foraging over the last few weeks. The heat waves and drought we’ve experienced this summer in the UK have had a significant effect on the quality of what’s available. Yesterday we visited our usual Bramley Apple tree, to pick fruit, and there were less apples on its branches than usual. The apples that were still on the tree were a lot smaller than usual.

However, we were able to pick a couple of kilograms, enough to make the Spicy Apple Chutney pictured above. I make several different chutneys most years, all taken from recipes in Pam Corbins excellent book – Pam the Jam.

All the chutneys from this book are really good but this is the one chutney I always get asked for again and again. In fact I’ve been asked twice this week when I told people I was making chutney. It’s quite straightforward to make and uses tempered Indian spices which makes it taste so special.

I can’t print the recipe but I have found a link to a post of Pam Corbins where she shares the recipe. You can find it here – Spicy Apple Chutney. The link will open up in Facebook or Instagram.

All images: ©Stephen Hyde 2007-2026 – All rights reserved.