how long does homemade mincemeat keep for?

[fraggle08]

Last year i made my own mincemeat (for Xmas mince pies not minced meat). I just found some in a cupboard not sure if its any good still. Does anyone know how long this sort of thing keeps for? It smells boozier than it used to so I'm wondering if its fermented... also its lost the warm spicy aroma that it had. However my other half ate a spoonful and although he admitted it was "pokey" he thought it was fine. I don't want to poison anyone if I use it later this year but it would save me making more if its good.. any advice would be great ta.

[ethandron]

as long as it's not got any mould on it i'm sure it'll be fine, i'd use it....and if your other half is still alive and kicking that proves it :)

[lotsafun]

ive always thought that by adding alcohol to something it wont go off, could be wrong though, and i could be the only one who does add alcohol to most of my jams, pickles and chutneys lol