Sunday 7 August 2011

You say Tomato...

I like to eat a nice fresh tomato every now and again but this time of year there's always a glut of everything (if you've done it right!)

Like the courgette (zucchini) plants, there's fruits aplenty now, so what do you do with 'em all?


Last year I made some of the best ketchup I've ever tasted so I thought I'd share the recipe (such as it is) which can be bastardised any way you like to your own tastes.

Ingredients: (roughly)
4lbs ripe toms
1x large onion (or 12oz shallots)
2x red peppers
small piece of root ginger (or 2 tsp's powder)
80g soft brown sugar
2 tsp's paprika
2 tsp's salt
300ml red wine vinegar (or balsamic)

Click on the pics to enlarge as usual...


That last bit is where you can season to taste. I add a pinch of tumeric, a few cloves and some pepper as well as the paprika, all of which gives it a real kick.

One thing to note though. Make sure it's still slightly runny before you pour into the bottles. It'll thicken up as it cools into a nice thick sauce.


I can't get enough of this stuff and it never lasts 2 months as I've usually eaten it all by then.

Next time I'll post some courgette (zucchini) recipes.

17 comments:

Janet said...

My mouth is watering just reading the recipe ! It looks really yummy .

Molly said...

We've got an avalanche of tomatoes here too- not surprising as I planted 38 plants of them - well you can't waste the seeds I thought :(. Chris that recipe looks really good - going to save it to my hard drive - definitely want to have a try at making that sauce.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Yum! I've never made ketchup, but our tomatoes are in so it's a real possibility if I can just stop eating them right off the vine!

Jacqui said...

Looks great Chris. I'll remember for next year - don't think I'll get enough from my very late 2 plants this autumn. xx

Crow said...

I love ketchup. A burger would never be the same without it. This recipe looks like a winner. I must try it. I do have the tomatoes this year!

Your pictures should be in a magazine. I can almost taste the sweetness.

Chris said...

Janet - it smells great when you're cooking it too!

Molly - I always sow the whole packet too. Just need an aircraft hanger to grow them in!

Lisa - More self discipline please ;0)

Jacqui - 4lbs of tomatoes is what I took in one picking. I'm sure you'll have loads next year. Try the bush varieties like 'Roma' - might do well up there?

Crow - With all your tom plants you'll be in full scale production by September!

Jim said...

Now, mister man, how timely is this! I am 'stewing' a bunch of tomatoes as I speak....for tomato sauce.
I understand what you mean about having so many at hand. We don't grow them ourselves, we are too shaded in, but can buy them very cheaply locally.
Now this is a recipe I am going to try.

Oh yes, your presentation on this post is very well done.....I see a 'show' of your own on the Food Network in the not too distant future. If you want to know more, it'll cost ya!! lol

fromsophiesview said...

Jim told me about this post and now I can see why...such ease of preparation and the photo layout/comments are so clear and precise. After we get back from cape Cod, this recipe will be bubbling away on the stove top...mmmm! Thanks!Ron

Justin said...

Chris, your recipe looks great and I think I will try and make some, perhaps when the fishing season has ended.

We often make up a loaf of zucchini bread with any extra zucchini. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

Chris said...

Jimbo - My own show on the Food Network? I'll need to get my hair done (at least)...

Ron (& Sophie) - thank you. I like this so much I pour it on my cornflakes. No wonder it's eaten within a couple of weeks!

Justin - I may have to poach your Zucchini loaf recipe...

John Going Gently said...

chris your've gone all Nigella on me

stop pouting into the camera and licking your spoons in that provocative way!

John Going Gently said...

slag!

Chris said...

You should see what she does with the rolling pin!

Craig said...

I never thought of making ketchup but that sounds really good. Thanks

Samantha said...

Wonderful! Now I know what to do with the 3000 extra tomatoes loitering in the kitchen!

Melodie said...

That looks beautiful! I love seeing how people put up their harvest! Goats are very addictive...you may end up with more than one or two if you ever get started,lol!

Rebecca said...

Too cool.. This year the heat was hard on my garden and I even had to purchase tomatoes at the farmers' market to satisfy my craving for salsa. Hopefully next year will be better and I'll try out your ketchup recipe :)