Making homemade tomato ketchup is a fun and rewarding process. Here’s a simple recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- 2.5 kg ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions:
- Prepare tomatoes:
- Wash and chop the tomatoes. You can remove the seeds if you prefer a smoother ketchup.
Cooking tomatoes:
- In a large saucepan, combine the chopped tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
- Cook over medium heat until the tomatoes break down and the mixture becomes soft. Stir occasionally.
Strain the mixture:
- Once the tomatoes are soft, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the mixture. This will separate the liquid from the solids.
Cooking liquid:
- Return the liquid to the saucepan and add vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, mustard seeds, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and cayenne pepper.
Simmer:
- Simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Allow it to reduce and thicken. This can take 1-2 hours.
Adjust consistency:
- If your ketchup is not thick enough for your liking, you can continue simmering until it reaches the desired consistency.
Taste and adjust:
- Taste the ketchup and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add more sugar, salt, or spices if needed.
Cool and store:
- Allow the ketchup to cool, and then transfer it to sterilized jars or bottles. Store in the refrigerator.
Enjoy:
- Your homemade tomato ketchup is ready to use! It’s great as a condiment for burgers, fries, and more.
Feel free to adjust the quantities of spices and seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy your homemade ketchup!
