Friday, September 30, 2016

Homemade Ketchup made with Cherry Tomatoes~


One last garden harvest post before the garden is put to bed for the year.  Sniff-sniff. We had such a wonderful growing season.  Cucumbers and tomatoes galore. The cherry tomatoes were especially prolific and I'm still picking them!


The varieties I planted this year were Sweet Million red and Sun Sugar yellow cherry tomatoes. Both were winners! But, with so many cherry tomatoes, what to do with all of them?

I'm so glad I stumbled on this simple and delicious recipe for homemade ketchup using cherry tomatoes, It turned out great!


Above, you see about 4 pounds of halved cherry tomatoes in a 4" deep pan. I even threw in a few yellow ones. They are combined with my favorite champagne vinegar, brown sugar, just a touch of spice, salt and pepper and simmered.  


This is what they look like when reduced by about half but let the consistency be your guide.  It should be jam-like which will take approximately 90 minutes, depending on your stove and temperature. Then, after it has cooled a bit, the mixture is pureed in a food processor and then strained to remove the seeds and skins. 


The result is about 3 cups of the freshest ketchup you'll ever taste and without the high fructose corn syrup.  I placed mine in sterilized half-pint jars before refrigerating.  It will keep for at least a month or longer in the refrigerator.  Delicious with fried potatoes, on hot dogs for the kids, meat loaf, or made into a wonderful Thousand Island or Russian salad dressing.

How to do like to use ketchup?

Whether you spell it ketchup or catsup, if you still have cherry tomatoes growing in your garden or can find them at the farmers' market, please give this a try! A delicious way to bid farewell to September!  


Homemade Tomato Ketchup

Printable Recipe

Yields about 3 cups of tomato ketchup

Note:  I tried the recipe using three different types of vinegar: balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar and champagne vinegar.  Champagne vinegar was the winner with my taste buds because of its mild, fruity flavor.  The runner up was red wine vinegar. The balsamic vinegar didn't give it the traditional ketchup flavor that I wanted. 

4 pounds ripe cherry tomatoes washed and cut in half
1-1/2 cups champagne vinegar
⅔ cup dark brown sugar
4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (reserved until after above ingredients have been cooked and strained)

In a wide skillet, stir together the halved tomatoes with all ingredients except Worcestershire.  Simmer over low to medium heat until a thick jam-like mixture develops (this will take up to 90 minutes, approximately, depending on your stove). Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.

In a food processor, purée mixture until smooth. If you have a small food processor do this in batches to prevent overflow. Then, place a fine-mesh sieve over a tall bowl (an 8 cup heat proof measuring/pouring bowl works great).  Strain puréed mixture, pressing on solids with the back of a large spoon. Throw out seeds and skins. At this point, if you want an even thicker ketchup, you may simmer again for another 15-30 minutes. 

When the ketchup is finished, add the Worcestershire sauce and refrigerate.  You may place it in attractive jars or bottles for gifting.

Ketchup will last at least one month refrigerated. 

Guidelines for canning tomato ketchup can be found here on the Ball/Kerr website
Adapted from The New York Times

32 comments:

  1. Wow Susan, that's a great harvest!! Those homemade ketchup must have tastes particularly fresh and delicious.

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    1. Thank you, Angie! Yes, we did have quite a great harvest and hope to have more to come if the weather cooperates :)

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  2. I left a comment and it's gone..
    I wanted to tell you that your tomatoes..in the (All Clad?)..are a work of art..

    the ketchup sounds and looks wonderful..and your hand model too♥

    And..that I missed my dahlias..:)

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    1. Oh no! I've heard that from others that a comment has disappeared. I hope it gets fixed or I knew what to do. Thank you for letting me know. The dahlias are doing great this year too. It's sad to think that in a couple of weeks I'll have to dig them out of the ground to store for the winter. It's a Cuisinart pan that I found at Home Goods a few years ago. Thank you, Monique :)

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  3. What amazing recipe Susan and I love your little tomatoes are beauty !!
    xoxoxo

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  4. Thank you so much for this great recipe. I made Ketchup many years ago and I loved it. I will try your recipe, as well. I love homemade better then store bought.
    Pretty flowers too.
    Blessings,
    FABBY

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  5. I've never made ketchup but I must. This looks so delicious and so simple too. X

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  6. Looks like a fun little project and good use of the tomatoes.

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    1. You'd love it on your breakfast eggs and potatoes too, Larry :) Thanks!

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  7. How FABULOUS! I've never even though of making my own ketchup but I look forward to trying. I wish I had your luck growing tomatoes though. Mine always get eaten by some yard critter the day before they are perfectly ripe:( I do adore ketchup though and enjoy it on just about everything but lately I've been devouring it on truffle fries - extra ketchup please!!!

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    1. Thank you, Stephanie! I love being able to grow tomatoes. I have some critter issues too but I just plant enough for all of us :) This would be wonderful on truffle fries!

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  8. a delicious recipe,can't wait to try Susan !Have a nice weekend

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  9. What a green thumb you have Susan, and what a clever idea to make ketchup. I would be putting this luscious looking sauce on everything.

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    1. We couldn't keep up with the cherry tomatoes so I was so happy to find a ketchup recipe using cherry tomatoes.

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  10. This post makes me miss my tomato plants at my old house. Since we downsized, there's no room. Next year, I will take a couple of pots and plant a tomato or two. Wouldn't it be nice to get enough to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I had enough to share with the neighborhood :) Thank you, Lea Ann!

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  11. Oh how I wish I had this recipe a month ago! I've heard great things about the Sun Sugar tomatoes - did you love them? They look wonderful and so does this ketchup - thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe Susan!

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    1. I wasn't doing much cooking a month ago :( Trying to make up for lost time! Sun Sugars are great, Tricia, and so little cracking on the fruit too. Sweet and yummy. Thank you!

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  12. Sounds marvelous and without all the high fructose syrup. It would make a great comeback sauce, too!

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    1. I'll have to Google comeback sauce :) I was very pleased with the results, Vee. Thanks!

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  13. My husband's favorite frenh fry dip is a mixture of half mayo/half ketchup. If I made ketchup at home, he'd think me a kitchen diva!

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    1. Oh, I have to try that mixture now! I'll bet we'd love it. Thank you, Rosemary!

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  14. Looks wonderful. This is a great year for tomatoes.
    Amalia
    xo

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  15. OMG Susan...homemade ketchup...looks fabulous and much better/healthier than the store bought ones, which I do not care for it...but your homemade ketchup just makes me want to dip all kind of food in it.
    Hope you are having a fabulous week :)

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  16. Wow, Susan thanks for posting this. I make jams/jellies and homemade bbq sauce, but making homemade ketchup hadn't crossed my mind! Seems like a great recipe and I simply can't wait to try it! My kids are gonna be impressed :)

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  17. I love homemade ketchup and yours look absolutely mouthwatering Susan! I am saving this to try!

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  18. I've made ketchup once long ago and now you've inspired me to make it again, this sounds AMAZING!!

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  19. I really need to try this- my grandson goes through ketchup like nobody's business! I know this tastes better too. My tomatoes are gone, but my brother still has some- sounds like a weekend project! :)

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