Plum Chutney

When we arrived at La Croix Blanche in October 2010 the plum tree growing in the chicken coop was on its side with the roots exposed. One winch and a few props later we had it righted and looking hopeful.

The storms of last winter sent it over once more to an impossible angle, so it was out with the winch again.

Now you wouldn't expect much of a tree with that history, would you? But like so many things in the garden, it has taken us by surprise and is now bearing fruit...

So today we got out the scaffolding (what else?) to start gathering...

It was soon too hot to continue and in any case, with 14lbs of fruit picked, we had quite enough to be going on with!

Fortunately 'Readers Digest Food from your Garden' came up trumps with a recipe for plum chutney, which also used up some of our home grown shallots, onions and apples. It is quite ready to pot up yet but the aroma is wonderful and it doesn't taste too bad either.

And if you like the sound of plum chutney, here's the recipe..

Much as we like stewed plums, it's good to have an alternative!