Makes 1.5kg
2.5kg Bramley apples
1 lemon
1.2kg light, soft brown sugar
1 red chilli (optional)
1.2 litres cider vinegar
2 cinnamon sticks
5 star anise
40g fresh root ginger
½ tbsp sea salt
cracked peppercorns
Core and chop the apples into small chunks. Zest and juice the lemon. Place the zest and apple into a large saucepan, stirring in the lemon juice. Add the sugar and 200ml of cold water and stir thoroughly. Heat through, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the apples are glossy. Trim and half the chilli lengthways. Add the chilli halves, cider vinegar, cinnamon sticks and star anise to the apple mixture. Bring to the boil.
Peel the ginger, then grate into the saucepan. Add the salt and 1 tbsp of roughly cracked peppercorns. Stir thoroughly and simmer for 4 hrs until thick and sticky.
Transfer to sterilised jars. Place a wax disc on top of the chutney and seal with a sterilised lid. Keep in a cool, dark place for 1 month before opening.