I went to the Farmers Market this week and found they had baskets of tomatoes for $1!
I bought three and went home excited about making tomato jam.
I had never tasted tomato jam until just last year, and I thought it was so delicious, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it before, or that it wasn’t everywhere, in every super market, next to strawberry jam or blueberry jelly! I felt deprived…
So when I saw those tomatoes, I immediately thought, “I could make some jam! I mean, how hard could it be?
Five hours later, after peeling five pounds of tomatoes, simmering & stirring the pot, checking the consistency countless times, I wondered if this “soup” was ever going to turn into “jam”.
I decided to go sit down, after all, I’d been standing in the kitchen for hours (I already had met my 10,000 steps quota and it was only 5pm!). While I was checking my emails and Instagram, I fell asleep…
Next thing I know I smelled a hint of something burning… I jumped out of the chair and ran to the kitchen, exclaiming, “no, no, no…!”
I stirred the pot and realized the bottom was starting to stick, but it wasn’t burned! I tasted it quickly, hoping there was no burnt taste…
Oh, I have to tell you, I breathed a sigh and was so thankful that it tasted fine! It was still really, REALLY hot from those red chile flakes, but it was delicious.
I grabbed the jars and filled three of them with about four tablespoons left over. That’s it! Three pints from FIVE pounds of tomatoes! I had to laugh…
I was so proud of myself.
For years, (since I first got married and went to college in a rural area), I’d wanted to try canning and I finally did it.
It only took a couple decades.
Now, the jars sit it on my kitchen shelves and I can’t wait until next week when I can go to the Farmers Market, buy whatever is in season, and try canning again!
I can almost see it…my kitchen shelves stocked with colorful jars, filled with all kinds of good food.
Of course, what will really happen is that I’ll end up giving these jars away in pretty gift baskets…
…But I love to do that, too!
So it’s a win/win situation 😊
Enjoy summer bounty,
Daisy
I’ve never had tomato jam either. But I had a similar experience with making ketchup last summer. 3 half pint jars from a Whole Lot of tomatoes! Enjoy!
Haha! I never even thought to make ketchup! I had the tomato jam last year when we visited our son and after driving for a while, ended up in an amish store. They had jars open to taste with crackers, and I couldn’t believe how good the tomato jam was! After tasting so many different jams & jellies, I came back to the tomato section and bought a jar. The only thing I’d do differently next time I make it is that I’m leaving out the red chile flakes. It doesn’t need it!
You should publish your recipe. I’d try it!
That is some precious tomato jam! Yum!
Thanks, Laura! Wish we could sit and have some jam with fresh bread and hot tea together. 🙂
I love tomato jam looks fantastic and congratulations on canning, I am working my way to real preserving, a step at a time. Cant wait for the tomatoes to come to the market and for my 2 little tomato plants to start producing fruit.
Fun! I’m hoping to plant some tomatoes soon. I also bought a great book on canning & preserving and am doing some research so I can do it more often and get the right equipment.
I absolutely adore tomatoes, but I have never heard of tomato jam! Your jars look simply divine. The first thing I purchased when we bought our first home as a young couple was a large canning pot! I have never looked back and have loved gardening and canning ever since!
Blessings to you my friend!
canning is exhausting! I’ve done jam and pickles and I think at least once during the process “IS THIS WORTH IT???” but it is. So rewarding! So glad you woke up before burning the jam! 🙂
Love this Daisy!! I’ve had plenty of moments when I wondered if “this soup was ever going to turn into jam” and when I’ve let things get really close to burnt (or actually burnt to bits!). Fun to live through your canning adventure! That being said, I’ve never had tomato jam! And you are making me curious. Do you put it on toast and biscuits??? or serve it with meat? I’m planning on making strawberry freezer jam this summer with the grand-girls. My dad used to make jars and jars in the summer and give them all away– like you! Fun fun post! Love seeing all you do… hugs from here.
Rhonda, you are always so encouraging and nice! I always look forward to reading your comments and what you have to say. Thank you for taking the time to write to me. The tomato jam can go on toast (I made an Italian loaf for our neighbors and took it to them with a jar of tomato jam and a jar of blueberry jam). My husband put it on biscuits, muffins, and just about anything. I would probably love it on chicken or pork chops, just because I love mixing the sweet with the savory. I made some blueberry jam this past week because that was also on sale. Let’s see what’s on sale this week at the Farmers Market…, maybe I’ll make some canned pickles or peaches 🙂 Have a great week! Blessings to you. xoxo
OK, homemade bread with that tomato jam!! I can’t think of anything much better! How did the blueberry come out? I haven’t made jam much– except last year when a friends daughter got married. Three of us made 180 small jars of berry jam for favors in two days!! We were a machine! —and you’re making me want to get to a farmer’s market!! Happy canning!! hugs blog-friend!
mmm. . . The tomato jam sounds wonderful.