It seems like I’ve been making tomato jam all summer. I first tasted this wonderful concoction this past spring when I ran across a recipe for cheese thumbprint cookies served with a dollop of tomato jam in the center. Always on the lookout for new recipes to try at our annual Civitan golf benefit party, I tried the recipe and was so surprised by how wonderful the jam tasted. I had never made or tasted tomato jam prior to this, but I knew I would be making more using tomatoes from our garden.
The recipe I tried can be found HERE, and it was a hit at the party even though my thumbprint cookies spread way out with no well to put the jam. But that was no problem because it was the combination of the cheese flavor with the touch of tomato jam that was so special. And I would still recommend making those thumbprint cookies to eat with the jam but over the summer I have found other simple ways to serve it. And I have tinkered with the recipe enough to declare that this version is the best.
To make the jam, start with 3 cups of cherry tomatoes, washed and cut in half. Of course, I used cherry tomatoes from our garden but the good news is that you can make this tomato jam year round since cherry tomatoes are so readily available.
Put the cherry tomatoes in a stainless steel pot along with 1 large sweet onion chopped coarsely, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 cup cider vinegar, 1/2 cup apple juice, 1/4 cup of aged balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, dried rosemary, dried red pepper flakes, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and then turn down the heat to medium low and continue to cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring frequently to avoid burning and scorching.
Continue to cook until the mixture has turned gooey, thick, and syrupy. Remove from the heat and put into sterilized, hot jelly jars. ( I was able to fill three 8 ounce jars.) Wipe the rim of the jars, add a lid (which has sat in warm water for a few minutes) and a screw band. Cool overnight and then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
It makes a great condiment for any grilled meat, but one of the simplest ways to enjoy it is to spread a Ritz cracker with cream cheese, goat cheese, or Laughing Cow low fat cheese and top with the tomato jam. If you want to omit the cracker, just serve it with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. Oh, yum!
This recipe made 3 jars which I did not process, but as I said, I have been making lots of tomato jam this summer!
Here are 21 more jars that I did process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes. These are going into gift bags for a ladies’ luncheon at our church. The jam will last for a year or so like this but I don’t think anyone is going to let this yummy stuff sit around for a year!
If you are interested in making the labels for your jars, you can click HERE to download and print them. I sent my file to Office Depot and had them printed on cardstock to save on ink! The tomato jam would make a great gift anytime so don’t forget to pin the recipe so that you can find it later!
Homemade Tomato Jam
Ingredients
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes washed and halved
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large sweet onion coarsely chopped
Instructions
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Put all of the ingredients into a non-reactive stainless steel pot and bring to a boil.
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Stir and let cook for 2-3 minutes.
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Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring frequently, until the mixture has thickened to a jammy texture.
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Remove from heat and put into hot, sterilized 8 ounce jelly jars.
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Wipe the rims of the jars and add prepared lids and screw bands.
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Process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes, if desired, or cool and store in the refrigerator if not processing.
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The unopened jars will last several weeks in the refrigerator or if processed, over a year in the pantry.
Recipe Notes
Serve as a meat condiment, over cream cheese, on cheese wafers, or on a slice of sharp cheddar cheese.
Ellen says
August 28, 2016 at 3:12 pmThis looks delicious. I have made homemade ketchup, tomato conserve and a couple other things, but not this. I will give it a try.
Dawn says
August 27, 2016 at 4:48 pmI’ve never heard of tomato jam before but it looks delicious and I love the way you’re serving it 🙂 Great way to use up all those tomatoes coming on right now. I had a farmer give me a bushel but I ended up with the flu so I passed them onto a friend to can, I just felt terrible and couldn’t get to them soon enough.
AnnMarie says
August 23, 2016 at 5:25 pmI have never heard of tomato jam and I want to try it! I used to hot water bath all my jams until I discovered freezer jam for fruits. I will have to dig out my old pot and grippers!
Jane Windham says
August 23, 2016 at 10:07 pmAlthough I haven’t tried it, I would think you could put this in the freezer like you would strawberry jam!
Libby Wilkie says
August 23, 2016 at 2:44 pmLooks SO good, and so easy. The farmers market opens here in about an hour…so I will buy my ingredients!! Thanks for this!
Jane Windham says
August 23, 2016 at 10:06 pmLet me know if you like it, Libby!
Robyn says
August 23, 2016 at 11:54 amLooks delicious! I have an abundance of cherry tomatoes, so I know what I’m doing the latter part of this week. In order to “can” the jam, do I just put the jars in a hot water bath for 20 minutes AFTER I have completed all the steps above?
Jane Windham says
August 23, 2016 at 10:00 pmRobyn, if you think that you’re going to eat the jam within a few weeks, just keep it in the refrigerator. But if you want to use it later (such as give it as a gift at Christmas) then you will need to put the hot jam in sterilized jars, wipe the rims, add a lid that has been sitting in warm water, and then put on a screw band. Place the jars in a canning pot and process in boiling water for 20 minutes. Remove the jars from the canner and let cool on the counter overnight. Then store the jars in your pantry for up to a year. Hope this clears up the confusion!
Ann says
August 23, 2016 at 9:22 amOh this looks delish and I adore your little tags! You are a trooper when it comes to preserving the fruits of your garden. You will be glad this winter I’m sure. 🙂
Jane Windham says
August 23, 2016 at 10:02 pmAt the end of the summer, I’m just glad it’s all done!
Barbara F. says
August 23, 2016 at 8:06 amI would love this on a burger or grilled chicken!
Jane Windham says
August 23, 2016 at 10:05 pmI hadn’t thought to put this on a burger, Barbara, but I will definitely try it! We don’t do chicken around here. Leo is allergic to it!!!
Mary says
August 23, 2016 at 5:51 amYour tomato jam sounds wonderful Jane! Thanks for the recipe and adorable printable gift tags! I love that I can make this with cherry tomatoes from the grocery store too 🙂 Pinning!!
Jane Windham says
August 23, 2016 at 10:04 pmYes! I made some earlier this year with cherry tomatoes that I purchased at Sam’s.