Old Fashioned Tomato Jam Recipes

TOMATO PRESERVES

Steps:

• Slice an x in the top of each tomato. Place in a pot of boiling water until skin begins to peel off. Immediately place in a bowl of ice water. Slough off skin and remove stem button.
• Weigh tomatoes and place in a non reactive bowl (plastic or glass). Gently squeeze tomatoes by hand or with a wooden spoon to release juice. Add an equal weight of sugar. Let stand for 12 hours.
• When ready to cook, place two metal teaspoons in the freezer.
• Drain juice into a large sauce pan. Boil until the syrup thickens and falls of a spoon in heavy drops. Approximately 20 minutes.
• Rough chop the tomatoes and add to the thickened syrup. Grate the lemon zest and add to the syrup. Cut lemon in half and squeeze juice into the syrup. Add the ginger or cinnamon.
• Boil mixture until thick for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• To test for doneness, remove one spoon from the freezer. With the spoon you used to stir the preserves remove a small amount of jam and pour into the frozen spoon. Tilt the frozen spoon over the pot, if the preserves pour off in large thick drops it is done. If it pours off quickly, boil for another few minutes and retest with the other frozen spoon.
• Remove ginger or cinnamon. Put preserves in sterilized jars and boil in a water bath canner for 20 minutes.

OLD-FASHIONED TOMATO JAM RECIPE

Steps:

• Chop the tomatoes and remove any loose seeds. Grate the fresh ginger.
• Set out a medium saucepot. Add all the ingredients. Bring to a boil.
• Lower the heat and simmer for 1 - 1 ½ hours, stirring regularly, so it doesn't burn on the bottom.
• Once the tomato jam looks thick and glossy, turn off the heat. Place in jars and either can, freeze, or refrigerate.

TOMATO JAM

Steps:

• Score an X in the bottom of 3 pounds of tomatoes and cook in boiling water for about 30 seconds. Drain, transfer to a bowl of ice water, then peel and dice. Combine the tomatoes with 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 2 tablespoons cider vinegar in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon each ground coriander and cumin and the juice of 1 lemon. Cook, stirring, until thick, about 1 hour; let cool. Serve with cheese and crackers.

TOMATO BUTTER

Steps:

• Put a small ceramic plate in the freezer. You will use this this to test the jam later.
• Safely prepare you jars for canning.
• Chop the tomatoes and place them in a large Dutch oven (optionally see crock pot procedure at the bottom) with the sugar and vinegar. Stir everything together, then turn the heat to medium and simmer until the tomatoes begin to break down and are soft, about 15 minutes. Blend the tomatoes with an immersion blender until you have a smooth puree. Lower the heat and continue simmering the jam, stirring frequently, until the liquid has reduced and the mixture is thick and spreadable. This could take anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour, depending on how juicy your tomatoes are. As the mixture thinks, stir more often and watch carefully to avoid scorching.
• When the jam has cooked down and is thickened, spoon a little jam onto the frozen plate. Leave it to set for a minute, tilt the plate. If the jam stays put, or only runs a little bit, it's ready. Also, run a finger through the jam on the plate if the two sides stay separate and don't run back together it is another sign it is ready.
• When the jam has met the set test, remove it from the heat. Fill your canning jars with jam, leaving a 1/2-inch head space. Wipe the rimes of the jars with a damp paper towel to clean up any sticky spills. Dry the lids with a clean paper towel and place on the jars. Screw on the bands tightly. Use good canning procedure.
• You can also make this in the slow cooker. To do this, place all the ingredients in the cooker and cook uncovered for 12-14 hours until set. Puree the tomatoes when they are soft.

SPICED TOMATO JAM/BUTTER

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes in a saucepan with a lid and simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Stir the lemon zest, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, lemon juice, and pectin into the tomatoes. Place the saucepan over high heat. Stirring constantly, bring the tomato mixture to a boil; immediately upon boiling, stir the sugar into the tomato mixture and return to a full rolling boil. Allow to cook at a full boil for 1 minute while stirring. Remove from heat and skim any foam off the surface of the mixture.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the tomato jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/2 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 5 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place several inches apart onto a cloth-covered or wood surface; allow to sit until cool or overnight. Check the seal by pressing the top of each lid with a finger (the lid should not move up or down at all).

TOMATO PINEAPPLE JAM

Steps:

• Blanch tomatoes in boiling water about 10 seconds to loosen skins.
• Pull off skins, remove cores and dice tomatoes. (Should be about 3-1/2 Cups).
• Place in large saucepan and bring to boil. Cover and cook slowly 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, drain pineapple, saving syrup.
• Drain tomatoes and combine their 'juice' with the pineapple syrup. Boil rapidly until reduced to 1/2 cup, watching closely to avoid scorching.
• Add drained tomatoes, pineapple, lemon juice and sugar.
• Bring to full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.
• Remove from heat and stir in pectin.
• Pour into hot sterilized jars. Seal at once with lids and rings.
• Allow to cool and seal, then store in a cool place.