TOMATO FEST: Tomato Chile Jam

August 19, 2009 in Healthy Fare, Uncategorized, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Entrees

I know. I thought it sounded weird at first, too. Jam? From Tomatoes???

I’ll admit, I was desperate. I had so many tomatoes coming on over the weekend screaming “Pick Me! Pick Me!” that I began to get a bit desperate.  I came across a tomato jam recipe and gave it a try. It is great spread on a toasted baguette slice over a thin layer of ricotta.

I decided to spice it up quite a bit, so the jalapenos were my idea. And, I only used about half of the recommended sugar so the jam would have a more tangy savory feel. And, don’t be tempted to squeeze out the seeds and liquid from the tomatoes – that is where all the pectin is that will thicken the jam.

TOMATO CHILE JAM

4 cups diced ripe tomatoes
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 large shallots, minced
3 red jalapeno peppers *
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 cup apple cider or rice vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon soy sauce

Place 1/2 of the tomatoes, ginger and peppers in food processor and process until a smooth puree.

Stir all ingredients together in a large stockpot. Bring to a rapid boil. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is reduced to a thick jam.

Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for up to 4 weeks.

*If you want more heat, leave seeds and pulp in peppers, since this is where the heat resides. Otherwise, cut peppers in half lengthwise and scrape out seeds and pulp with a spoon.

Other Fab Frugal Tomato Jam recipes out there:
Tomato Jam, andreasrecipes.com
Sicilian Tomato Jam, divinacocina.blogspot.com

– posted by Donna