Fresh Tomato Ketchup

Photo: flickr user The Gifted Photographer

Ingredients

1/4 cup Canola Oil

6 pounds Ripe Tomatoes, cored and

inch Cut large wedges

12 ounces Red Onion, cut in wedges

1/2 cup Parsley Leaves, loosely

Packed

3/4 cup Celery, chopped

1/4 cup Carrot, chopped

1 teaspoon Mustard Seed

1 Cinnamon Stick

1 teaspoon Whole Allspice

1 whl Nutmeg

1 1/2 cups Malt Vinegar

3/4 cup Packed Brown Sugar

1 tablespoon Molasses

1 teaspoon Salt

Preparation

In a large heavy nonreactive pot, heat oil. Add tomatoes, onions, parsley, celery, and carrot. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat. Simmer slowly, uncovered, for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool.

Press through a food mill or fine sieve, seperating as much thick puree as possible. Discard solids and return puree to a clean pot.

Tie mustard, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg in a cheesecloth bag. Crush spices with a meat mallet. Add to puree along with vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, and salt. Mix well.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Boil gently 2 to 4 hours until mixture thickens and is reduced to 4 or 5 cups, stirring frequently. (Cooking tine will depend on juiciness of tomatoes/ Gradually reduce heat and stir more frequently as mixture becomes thicker to prevent sticking and excessive splattering.)

Remove spice bag. Ladle ketchup into 2 or 3 sterilized pint canning jars.

Seal. Cool on rack to room temperature. Store in refrigerator up to 2 months.