Pickled Pumpkin

Ingredients

• 1 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 4 ounces superfine sugar
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 11 black peppercorns
• 1 pinch salt
• 6 allspice berries
• 1/2 dried red chili
• 1 1/2 lbs whole pumpkin, peeled, deseeded and chopped into cubes

Directions

1. 1

   Place the vinegar, water and sugar in a large saucepan. Cook, stirring, over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved.

2. 2

   Add the cinnamon, peppercorns, salt, allspice berries and chili and bring to the boil.

3. 3

   Add the pumpkin flesh and bring to the boil once more.

4. 4

   Reduce the heat and simmer the pumpkin gently until cooked through, around 30 minutes.

5. 5

   Using a slotted spoon place the pumpkin in warm, sterile jars, dividing the spices evenly.

6. 6

   Bring the remaining cooking liquor to the boil and cook briskly until reduced and thickened into a syrup.

7. 7

   Pour the syrup over the pumpkin, allow to cool and seal.