African Food and Art

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Kei Apple Tomato Chutney

Easy South African Apple Tomato Chutney Recipe

South Africa is famous for kei-apples or Kei-appel and Kei Apple Tomato Chutney is a sort of combination pickle and preserve that goes well with grilled meats.

Kei Apple Fruit

Dovyalis caffra or Kei apple is a spiny evergreen fruit tree whose common names are Kei appel in the Afrikaans language, umqokolo in Zulu, amaqokolo in Ndebele the Wild apricot, or Dingaan’s apricot to name a few. It is native to the Kei River area of Namibia and abundant in the wild around the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Kei apple is a fruit-bearing tree native to southern Africa, particularly the Kei River region. It is named after the Kei River in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The Kei apple tree is known for its thorny branches and glossy, dark green leaves, which provide an attractive backdrop for its delicious fruit.

The Kei apple fruit is small to medium-sized and has a round or oval shape. It has a thick, leathery skin that is typically green when unripe and turns to a bright orange or yellow color when fully ripe. The flesh of the Kei apple is juicy and tangy, with a unique flavor that combines elements of citrus and tropical fruits. It is often described as having a sweet and sour taste, which adds to its refreshing appeal.

Use Kei Apple Tomato Chutney instead of relish, mustard, ketchup and salsa. 

Kei-Appel Tomato Chutney


Ingredients
3 large red tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup apple juice
½ cup chopped dates
½ medium finely chopped onion
2 medium finely chopped kei-appel (or any sour apple)
2 tablespoons white sugar
¼ teaspoon ground clove
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste


Directions

Add all ingredients into a large pot and stew on low heat until apples are soft, and until stew is thick.

South Africa is famous for kei-apples or Kei-appel and Kei Apple Tomato Chutney is a sort of combination pickle and preserve that goes well with grilled meats.
Kei-Appel Tomato Chutney

Beyond its culinary uses, the Kei apple tree also holds cultural and medicinal significance in certain African communities. The fruit has been traditionally used to treat various ailments, such as digestive issues and respiratory conditions. The tree itself is valued for its hardy nature and ability to thrive in diverse climates, making it a popular choice for ornamental purposes and as a natural barrier or hedge plant.

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