I started working on this post a while back but just haven't found the time.
The other day I made tomato sauce with the intent to jar it up and save it for later use. I wound up boiling the sauce down too much and it became quite thick. At first I thought what the hell? Then I tasted it and thought...Oh my!! I had inadvertently made tomato jam instead!! How divine!! I had actually been scouring resources looking for a tomato jam recipe but so many of them had so much sugar in them, which I didn't want. The
sauce recipe I followed was one I found on Pinterest from America's Test kitchen. It is simple, without too many ingredients and cooks down nicely. I have even made this twice, the second time cooking it down further on purpose and it turned out just as tasty!
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| Beautiful luscious jars of tomato jam!! |
The original recipe calls to peel the tomatoes but I didn't do that. I washed the tomatoes, cored them and put them through the food processor. Other than that, I followed the recipe. (oh except for the fact that I didn't process that many tomatoes, I cut the recipe into fourths and did 1/4 of the amount...I just don't have the space for 4 pots of sauce and the water canner on my stove!)
Some of the tomatoes are from my garden and some I bought from the Farmers' market. Many of the farmers had bins labeled 'canning tomatoes'. These are just over ripe and extra juicy tomatoes and are cheaper than the others. Only $1/pound!!
We have used the jam to eat plain with bread, as a base for pizza bread, in sandwiches, as a dip for chicken, paired with ricotta or basil or both....the possibilities are endless. So far the Boy's favourite sammy has been a waffle and grilled chicken breast with tomato jam...this of course is his own creation!
I fear not having anymore ripe tomatos on the plants but I'm sure cracking open a jar such as this mid winter will remind me of the summer bounty we were so fortunate to have this summer.
Until next time, stay warm and eat well.
Tomato jam is kind of strange to me. Is it more like a tomato sauce? Seeing that your Boy has it with grilled chicken breast, its more like ketchup to me. My Mum did tell me that she used to put marmalade on her bacon sandwiches when she was in Scotland. I thought she was bonkers :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have any of the equipment needed for canning, but I've seen so many great recipes...I even have one from a friend on my blog now!...that I've decided I need to give it a try. This jam would be a good start.
ReplyDeleteHow delectable! Envying your bounty of tomatoes. We are not into tomato season yet here in Dubai so we are licking lips in anticipation!
ReplyDeleteOh my, we are almost done with tomato season (actually had to pull my plants this weekend due to frost). When is tomato season in Dubai?
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