Sharon Struckman gets into a right good pickle thanks to a family company with a homemade ethos
There’s nothing quite like a proper homemade chutney or pickle to add a welcome crunch or punchy hit to all manners of dishes – and I’ve found the perfect artisan condiments made by The Tudor Chutney Company.
This delicious range is made in the village of Colliers End (between Puckeridge and Ware), by Suzanne Anderson and her family. Their aim is to capture all the good things about homemade produce by filling each jar with generous quantities of fresh, seasonal ingredients, which are sourced locally and from Spittlefields Market in London. All their preserves are prepared without additives, preservatives, colourings or gelling agents.
Characterized by bold, fresh flavours and natural sets these delicious preserves have an honesty and simplicity, prepared by Suzanne in her kitchen on a classic Aga stove.
I had the pleasure of tasting the Country Style Piccalilli – it’s honey shallots bursting with flavour, as well as the Dragon’s Delight Hot Chili Chuntney and the Caramelised Red Onion Chutney. All can be added to curries, soups, shepherd’s pies and stews. You could also stir a dollop or two into yogurt to make a great spicy dip or mix some with cream cheese to spread on toast.
The company also makes specialist jellies, marmalade and chutney for Hatfield House Gift Shop from medlars that are handpicked from ancient trees on the Hatfield House Estate. What is a medlar, you ask? It’s a small deciduous tree and member of the rose family whose fruit looks like a giant rosehip, ranging from about one to two inches in diameter and in colour from rosy rust to dusty brown.
The Tudor Chutney Company range can be purchased at specialist outlets and farmer’s markets around Hertfordshire or you can find them on Facebook under Tudor Chutney.
Sharon Struckman is a food writer and photographer at whatishootieat.co.uk
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