Summer of Canning: Simple Tomato Ketchup

Ketchup is a really easy condiment to make, and making your own allows you to control the amount of salt and sugar added.  And allows you to have the exact flavor you want.  I often make ketchup to go with a particular meal, but this is the first time I have tried canning it.

Simple Tomato Ketchup


Ingredients:

• 10 pounds tomato, dead-ripe
• 2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
• 4 large onions, chopped
• 1-1/2 cups cider vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 4 teaspoons cayenne
• 4 Tablespoons brown sugar, packed firm
• 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Cut tomatoes in quarters and puree them in food processor along with bell pepper. Strain puree through a sieve or a colander to remove skins and seeds.

Now puree onions, combine with tomato and pepper puree, and pour into a large stainless steel or enameled kettle. Cook and stir occasionally over low heat until it is reduced by about a third and is considerably thicker.

Meanwhile put garlic, peppercorns, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon into the vinegar in a small pot and simmer covered for 1/2 hour to steep spices in the vinegar. Pour about half the spiced vinegar through a strainer into the thickened tomato mixture. Stir. Also add sugar, mustard, cayenne, and salt at this point.

One the ketchup has thickened, taste and add sugar, vinegar, salt or pepper to taste.  Cook it some more, stirring often, until it looks like ketchup. Taste and adjust again.  If the ketchup looks too separated, process in food processor again and cook for an additional 10 minutes.


Prepare for water-bath canning:  wash the jars and keep them hot in the canning pot, and put the flat lids in a heatproof bowl.

Ladle the boiling water from the canning pot into the bowl with the lids.  Using a jar lifter, remove the hot jars from the canning pot, carefully pouring the water from each one back into the pot, and place them upright on a folded towel.  Drain the water off the jar lids.

Transfer ketchup to hot sterilized 1/2-pint canning jars.

Use a damp paper towel to wipe the rims of the jars, then put a flat lid and ring on each jar, adjusting the ring so that it is finger-tight.  Return the jars to the water in the canning pot, making sure the water covers the jars by at least 1 inch.  Bring to a boil, and boil for 15 minutes to process.  Remove the jars to a folded towel, and do not disturb for 12 hours.

After 1 hour, check that the lids have sealed by pressing down on the center of each;  if it can be pushed down, it hasn't sealed and the jar should be refrigerated immediately. 

This was really easy, and I made it just to my taste.  I think this is a great first choice if you haven't done any canning.  After all, who doesn't like ketchup?!

This recipe was adapted from KetchupRecipe.com.

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