Currants in Mincemeat

Asked by shamroxann. Answered on 20th December 2014

Full question

Red currants aren't something easily (or at all) available where I live in the US, and I've never tried them to know what they taste like. I'd like to try Nigella's Cranberry Mincemeat (Star Topped Mince Pies) this year. Any suggestions on what I might substitute, or can they just be left out completely

Our answer

Nigella's Cranberry Mincemeat (from Christmas and on the Nigella website as part of the Star Topped Mince Pies) uses cranberries, currants and raisins. The currants are not red currants but are the dried fruit type of currants, sometimes called Zante currants (made from small seedless grapes).

You should be able to find these currants in many supermarkets and natural food stores, and we have seen them in several branches of Whole Foods. Or you can order them on-line from Bob's Red Mill. If you can't find them the you could use extra regular raisins or golden raisins.