TOMATO JAM

Tomato jam is a fancier take on ketchup, and a wonderful way to use up all of the beautiful fresh Roma tomatoes in the fall. This savoury jam is simple to prepare — just dump all of the ingredients in a large pot, and stir, stir, stir. Slather on burgers, sandwiches, and mix with mayo for a delicious dipping sauce.

5 lbs. Roma tomatoes, cored and chopped

3 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

2 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1 tbsp sea salt

2-3 tsp red pepper flakes (more flakes if you like more heat)

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a large, non-reactive pot. Bring to a boil over high heat and then turn the heat down to low. Simmer the jam, stirring regularly, until it reduces to a sticky, jammy consistency. Toward the end of cooking, be vigilant about stirring, as it burns easily when it’s nearly finished. When it is done, it should look glossy and not runny at all. This will take around 2 hours.

2. This jam keeps for six months in the refrigerator, so you can funnel it into jars, let it cool and then pop it in the back of the fridge. However, if you would like to preserve the tomato jam for longer, or to give away as a gift, here is what you do: When the jam is nearly done, prepare a boiling water bath and sterilize four half pint (250 ml) jars. Place the lids in a small saucepan, cover them with water, and simmer over very low heat.

3. When the jam has cooked down sufficiently, remove the pot from the heat and ladle the jam into the prepared jars, using a wide mouth funnel. Wipe the rims, put on the lids and rings, being sure not to twist the ring on too tight, and process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes, from the moment the water comes back to a boil after you add the jars.

4. Turn the heat off at 20 minutes, uncover and let the jars stand for 5 minutes longer.

5. Carefully remove the jars from the hot water and let cool on the counter for 24 hours. You should hear a popping sound when they are sealed.

6. Preserved in this manner, unopened jars of tomato jam will last up to two years. Makes 4 jars.