Tomato Ketchup

There’s something special about homemade condiments, and tomato ketchup is no exception. This recipe for homemade ketchup has been passed down through generations, originating from a neighbor in New Iberia in the 1850s and adapted by Paul McIlhenny. Unlike the laborious process of boiling a bushel of tomatoes, this adapted recipe is perfect for household use and yields delicious homemade ketchup that will elevate your dishes.

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 quarts tomatoes (about 10½ pounds)
• 2 cups distilled white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
• ¼ cup salt
• 2 tablespoons ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 12 garlic cloves, peeled

PREPARATIONS:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Using a sharp knife, make a small X on the bottom of each tomato. Carefully drop the tomatoes into the boiling water, doing this in batches if necessary. Boil the tomatoes for 1 minute.
2. Transfer the boiled tomatoes to a large bowl of ice water to cool. Once cooled, remove the skin from the tomatoes.
3. Quarter each tomato and remove the seeds. Coarsely chop the tomatoes.
4. In a large, nonreactive pot or kettle, combine the chopped tomatoes, distilled white vinegar, Tabasco sauce, salt, ground allspice, ground cloves, black pepper, and peeled garlic cloves.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it is reduced by half, which should take about 3 hours.
6. Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool for 15 minutes.
7. Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and purée it until smooth.
8. Store the homemade ketchup in airtight plastic or glass containers in the refrigerator. It can be stored for up to 1 month.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Use caution when handling hot liquids and boiling water.
• Adjust the amount of Tabasco sauce according to your desired level of spiciness.
• Feel free to customize the seasoning to your taste preferences by adjusting the amount of salt, allspice, cloves, and black pepper.

YIELD:

This recipe yields approximately 4 cups of homemade tomato ketchup.

In conclusion, homemade tomato ketchup is a delightful condiment that adds a special touch to your meals. This recipe, adapted by Paul McIlhenny from a treasured family recipe, offers a simplified method that ensures delicious results. By following a few simple steps, you can create a flavorful and tangy ketchup that will enhance the taste of your favorite dishes.

To begin, the tomatoes are blanched in boiling water and then cooled in ice water. This process makes it easy to remove the skin from the tomatoes, leaving you with a clean and smooth base. The tomatoes are then quartered, and the seeds are removed before they are coarsely chopped.

In a large pot or kettle, the chopped tomatoes are combined with distilled white vinegar, Tabasco sauce, salt, allspice, cloves, black pepper, and garlic cloves. This flavorful mixture is brought to a boil and then simmered for several hours until it reduces by half. This slow simmering allows the flavors to meld together and intensify, resulting in a rich and well-balanced ketchup.

Once the mixture has simmered, it is allowed to cool slightly before being transferred to a blender or food processor. The mixture is blended until smooth, creating a velvety texture that is characteristic of ketchup. The homemade ketchup is then stored in airtight containers and can be refrigerated for up to 1 month.

The beauty of homemade tomato ketchup lies in its versatility. It can be used as a classic accompaniment to burgers, hot dogs, and fries, but it also adds a burst of flavor to meatloaf, sandwiches, and other dishes. The tangy and savory notes of this homemade ketchup will elevate your meals and impress your family and friends.

By making your own ketchup, you have the freedom to adjust the flavors to your liking. Feel free to experiment with the seasonings, adding more or less salt, allspice, cloves, or black pepper according to your taste preferences. You can even customize the spiciness by adjusting the amount of Tabasco sauce.

In conclusion, this homemade tomato ketchup recipe is a wonderful way to create a flavorful and satisfying condiment that will enhance your meals. With its rich history and delicious taste, this ketchup adds a touch of nostalgia and homemade goodness to any dish it accompanies. Enjoy the process of creating your own ketchup and savor the wonderful flavors it brings to your culinary creations.