Fresh Tomato Jam

Ripe tomatoes cook down with sugar, vinegar, ginger, and warm spices into a glossy sweet-tart jam. Serve it with toast, cheese boards, grilled sandwiches, burgers, or roasted vegetables.
Prep: 15 min · Cook: 50 min · Total: 65 min · Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger (finely grated)
- 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
- 0.0625 tsp ground cloves
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 lb ripe tomatoes (cored and finely chopped)
- 0.75 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Instructions
- Wash 2 lb ripe tomatoes under cool running water, then core and finely chop them on a clean cutting board with a sharp chef's knife; you should have about 4 cups chopped tomatoes with their juices.
- Place a small ceramic plate in the freezer for at least 15 minutes so you can test the jam's set near the end of cooking.
- Combine the chopped tomatoes, 0.75 cup granulated sugar, 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger, 0.75 tsp kosher salt, 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes, 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon, and 0.0625 tsp ground cloves in a 4-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan.
- Set the saucepan over medium heat and stir with a heatproof spatula for 5-7 minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the tomato juices begin to bubble around the edges.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a lively boil, stirring frequently for 3-4 minutes so the bottom does not scorch.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the jam uncovered for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 3-5 minutes, until the tomatoes collapse, the mixture darkens slightly, and the bubbles look thick and glossy.
- As the jam thickens, scrape the bottom and corners of the saucepan continuously with the spatula for the final 5-8 minutes; the jam is ready when a spatula dragged across the bottom leaves a clear trail for about 1 second before the mixture flows back.
- Spoon 0.5 tsp jam onto the chilled plate and return it to the freezer for 1 minute, then push it gently with your fingertip; if it wrinkles lightly and does not run like liquid, it is properly set.
- If the jam is still loose, continue simmering it over medium-low heat for 5 minutes more, stirring often, then repeat the chilled-plate test until the texture is thick but spreadable.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the jam stand for 10 minutes, until bubbling stops and it thickens slightly as it cools.
- Transfer the warm jam with a clean spoon or ladle into a clean 1-pint jar or two 1-cup jars, leaving a little headspace, then cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before covering.
- Refrigerate the covered tomato jam for at least 2 hours before serving so the flavor can settle; use within 2 weeks and always scoop with a clean utensil.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 106
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 223 mg
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