Chutney - can I make it now and put in jars later?

[dotty2]

Just that really - I have it in mind to buy some nice mini kilner jars and put chutney in to give as presents at Christmas, but I've been too busy to buy them yet and I guess my chutney making window is narrowing rapidly. So can I make it this weekend, put it in a couple of big jars and then decant it into the new (sterilised) jars nearer the time? I have a feeling that you are supposed to always jar-up preserves while they're hot for hygiene reasons. What do you think?

You would be unsealing the jar when you decant, so I would say it wouldn't be a great idea. Can you not order some mini jars from Lakeland?

Umm - that's what I thought. I could order some, but I think they wouldn't arrive for the weekend, and next might be a bit late. Still, better slightly under-matured than give a gift of listeria for Christmas!

You could put a 'use after' date on them!

I reckon that chutney needs a few months minimum to mature. I wouldn't stress about another week... just get the jars and then get chutney making!

Thanks - have ordered some jars and if I run out of time, I might do lemon curd instead!

Ooh I was going to make chutney (heard the nigella Christmas chutney is good) as a gift too but I didn't know it needed to mature! So I should be making it now to give and eat at Christmas?

I think the maturing thing might be a counsel of perfection - tastes better if you do, still edible if you don't. I have my jars now and it's on my to-do list for this weekend!