Garden fresh tomatoes are cooked down with brown sugar, sherry vinegar, soy sauce, and spices, into an intensely flavorful condiment much like a rustic homemade ketchup. Preserve now for delicious holiday gifts later.

Tomato Jam | Baking a Moment

Ok, so this isn’t really a baking-type post.  And it’s not really a dessert post, either.  But hopefully you’ll forgive me for that when you taste what it’s all about.

The flavors in this tomato jam will knock your stinky socks off.  I am not kidding.

Once I’d conquered my jam-making, canning, preserving fears, I knew I’d be making huge batches of this.  For one thing, ’tis the season of neighbors knocking each other’s doors down, bearing overstuffed grocery bags full of their summer bumper crop.  We’ve all got ’em, in spades, and we don’t know what the heck to do with the sheer volume of…

TOMATOES!

I think it had to be close to a year ago that my husband and I were watching Food Network, saw this recipe, and HAD to make it, THAT VERY NIGHT.  It was so good.  I mean, we were kinda blown away.  And the tomato jam really made the dish.  Such a huge flavor impact!  Our tastebuds were doing a happy dance…

Tomato Jam | Baking a Moment

It was a bit time consuming, mostly because of the tomato jam, but I remember thinking that if I’d already had it made, in the pantry or whatever, the meal would’ve been a cinch.  I’m sure that was the original intent the chef had when developing it.

While away a free afternoon whipping up this concoction, and you’ll thank yourself in the months to come.  This condiment will wake up just about any dish.  I’m thinking eggs, salads, drizzled on a hearty soup, accompanying a cheese board… or of course, Shrimp and Truffled Grits with Moroccan Chorizo Broth, a la Chef Beau McMillan.

Peeling Tomatoes

Peeling and seeding tomatoes may sound tedious, but it can translate into a happy memory between a mom and her son, leaning over the sink together while singing pop songs along with the radio.

Tomato Jam | Baking a Moment

At least I hope he’ll remember times like these, when he’s grown.  They are certainly precious to me.

Tomato Jam | Baking a Moment

Not only did I enjoy his company, but he cut the work in half for me.  So what if there were a few stray seeds in the jam, and puddles of tomato juice all over the floor and counter?

Tomato Jam | Baking a Moment

There was plenty of time to clean up while the jam simmered away on the stove, reducing down to its essence, and filling our home with it’s sweet/savory aroma.

Tomato Jam | Baking a Moment

If you don’t quite have the hang of canning/preserving, this tomato jam will keep for a few weeks in the fridge.  Feel free to halve or even quarter the recipe, just watch it while it simmers and give it a stir every now and then so it doesn’t scorch.

But if you’re experienced/adventurous enough to take a crack at sterilizing the jars before sealing and submerging them in boiling water for 10 minutes, then whip up a big batch, and keep them in your cupboard for months.  I love giving homemade gifts at the holidays, and hopefully my family likes getting them, because these will definitely be stashed in stockings in a few months!

If you are a home canning/preserving enthusiast, you might also enjoy reading about my first attempt (click the pics for the recipes):

Seedless Blackberry Jam, Made Simple | Baking a Moment

Easy Homemade Seedless Blackberry Jam, No Pectin

…and what you can make with it:

Whole Wheat Blackberry Cream Cheese Swirl Bread with Vanilla Bean Glaze | Baking a Moment

Whole Wheat Blackberry Cream Cheese Swirl Bread with Vanilla Bean Glaze

Happy Labor Day Weekend, friends!

Tomato Jam | Baking a Moment

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Tomato Jam | Baking a Moment
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Tomato Jam

Servings: 24 ounces (about (3) 8-ounce jars)
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Processing/Canning Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
Garden fresh tomatoes are cooked down with brown sugar, sherry vinegar, soy sauce, and spices, into an intensely flavorful condiment much like a rustic homemade ketchup. Preserve now for delicious holiday gifts later.
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Ingredients

  • 6 pounds (2.72 kg) tomatoes, (about 20 medium-sized tomatoes)
  • 1 3/4 cups (385 g) brown sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups (295.74 ml) soy sauce
  • 1 cup (236.59 ml) sherry vinegar, (not cooking wine)
  • 2 tablespoons gojuchang, (Korean hot pepper paste), or your preferred hot sauce, to taste
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic,, finely minced or grated

Instructions
 

To Make the Tomato Jam:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and fill a large bowl with ice water.
  • Cut a small "X" in the bottom of each tomato, and submerge in boiling water for one minute.
  • Plunge the tomatoes in ice water.
  • Peel and halve the tomatoes, and squish out the seeds.
  • Place the tomatoes in a large skillet along with the remaining ingredients. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick, and reduced by about 80%.

For Preserving/Canning in Jars:

  • Keep the reduced jam warm while clean jars are fully submerged in boiling water for 10 minutes.
  • Remove the jars from the water, turn the heat down to a simmer, and put in the lids.
  • Fill the jars, within ¼-inch of the rim, with the jam. Wipe the rim with a clean cloth.
  • Place the warmed and softened lids on the jars, and screw on the rings.
  • Bring the large pot of water back up to a rolling boil, and submerge the jars, once again, for 10 minutes.
  • Remove the jars from the water bath and allow to cool completely. The "button" should vacuum seal, and pull down, so it can no longer be "popped" up and down.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Chef Beau McMillan's Shrimp and Truffled Grits with Moroccan Chorizo Broth
Calories: 91kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 715mg, Potassium: 323mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 945IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Topping
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