This cranberry dates chutney is a vibrant dipping sauce or condiment with a beautiful balance of sweet dates, tart cranberries, and warm Indian spices.
Why this cranberry dates chutney?
Usually, the sweet chutney is made with tamarind. To balance its sour taste, jaggery and dates are added along with some spices. I make the chutney with the cranberries during this season, as cranberries are a perfect substitute for tamarind.
The chutney has a little red chilli (or cayenne) powder, but the heat won't be hitting you right away. It gives a mild kick. Very mild pepper powder like Kashmiri red chilli powder or paprika can be added if you prefer to keep it sweet but adds a nice colour and a tiny bit of heat. The dates give sweetness as well as a nice body to the sauce.
Dates and cranberries provide great nutritional benefits. Therefore, this is not your average sweet chutney. Try this bold condiment and this will blow your mind. So flavorful!
Every year I look forward to the time when the cranberries hit the market. Like in the olden days, one should make the habit of including the seasonal fruits and veggies in the diet as they offer numerous benefits and are budget-friendly. Grab a few bags and enjoy the ruby red tart delights in various recipes with numerous benefits.
This is vegan and hence you can serve for anyone, any occasion. This is a best choice for your Thanksgiving holiday table as it pairs well with many foods.
You can customize this. Adjust the salt and spice level as you please.
Ingredients
To make this delicious cranberry dates chutney, you will need the following ingredients:
Cranberries - of course! These tart rubies give flavor and nutrition.
Dates - Adds nutrition while enhancing sweetness naturally. This gives a nice body to the sauce.
Salt - gives flavor
Black salt - Adds a phenomenal flavor depth as it is rich in minerals adding a mild puckering effect
Cayenne - for that spicy kick. Add as per your tolerance.
Cumin-coriander powder - with their earthy flavor tones, they boost the overall flavor profile of this chutney
Jaggery - A little to sweeten the chutney. You can use brown sugar instead.
Water - to cook the berries and dates.
Serving Suggestions
Sweet chutney is a part of almost Indian street food, Chaat and fried snacks like samosa or kachori. This is the best fall version of the classic sweet chutney. Add this delicious chutney to bhel puri, dahi puri, vada pav for that matter, each and every chaat.
Alternatively, you can use this cranberry dates chutney as a sauce too. My kids love it with samosas and mozarella sticks. For festive occasion, I serve this on cracker with cheese. Simply delicious!
This works great as a spread for burgers or wraps too. Try it next time and let me know.
Storage
You can store this sauce in the refrigerator for a week or two. I haven't tried storing it beyond this time frame, as it empties real quick. Well, it is easy to make a quick batch again.
More Cranberry Recipes
Have you ever tried cranberries is spicy dishes? This tart gem is equally delicious in sweet and spicy recipes.
More Chutney Recipes
Mango Habanero Chutney is great to serve with snacks and appetizers just like this cranberry dates chutney.
If you are looking for traditional chutneys to serve with glutenfree crepes like dosa or flatbreads, here are a few selections for you:
Cranberry Dates Chutney
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cranberry
- 12 Dates
- 2 cups Water
- 5 tbsp Jaggery powder
- ½ tsp Cayenne
- ½ tsp Cumin - Coriander powder
- ⅛ tsp Salt
- ⅛ tsp Black salt
Instructions
- Heat the jaggery powder in 1/2 cup water to dissolve it. In a heavy-bottomed saucepot, add the dates, cranberries, and 1.5 cups water. Filter the jaggery water to clear impurities and add the pure jaggery water to the saucepot.
- Bring it to a boil, and simmer for 10-12 minutes. You can hear the cranberries popping. Cool slightly. Blend to a smooth consistency.
- Return to the saucepot and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix and simmer on a medium flame stirring now and then. Continue to cook till it reduces to about a cup.
- Cool and refrigerate. Serve with samosa, or use as a sauce in subs or burgers.
Hezzi-D says
What a delicious chutney! I love that it has cranberry in it!
Radha says
Thanks Hezzi!
Chris says
I'm a date lover. So, I know this is right up my alley! All those flavors in there are perfect for a curry or a dip.
Kalyani says
oooh la la ! this dates-cranbery dip would wow any dish.. lovely colour and texture there, Radha
Neha (My Culinary Expressions) says
This dates cranberry chutney is an interesting variation of the classic chaat sweet sour chutney where tamarind is used. I have been wanting to try this long back and now, seeing this post I cannot wait any longer. This chutney is all that one needs alongside chaats and savories. Its taste and color both are brilliant.
Mayuri Patel says
Love the colour of the chutney. Like how you've used cranberries instead of tamarind. Will give this chutney a try.
Priya Srinivasan says
Look at that amazing color! Those serving suggestions, really tempt me to make this one, especially my favorite bhelpuri! We do get fresh cranberries during the season, will definitely try this punchy chutney!