Best Mark Bittmans Tomato Jam Recipes

TOMATO JAM

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Using a paring knife, cut out the stem end of each tomato, then slice a shallow X in the bottom.
• Plunge the tomatoes into the boiling water until their skins loosen, about 30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon and let cool. When cool enough to handle, slip off their skins. Discard the water, but save the saucepan for cooking the jam.
• Halve the tomatoes at their equator and gently squeeze out the seeds and juice. Cut the tomatoes into 1/2-inch (1.5-cm) pieces.
• Return the tomatoes to the saucepan and stir in the sugar, pepper, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently to ensure that the mixture is cooking evenly, until most of the liquid has cooked off. If foam occasionally rises to the top, skim it off with a large spoon. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
• Ladle the jam into clean jars. Cover tightly, let cool, and refrigerate.
• Storage:
• The jam will keep for at least 6 months in the refrigerator.

SWEET TOMATO JAM WITH HONEY AND VANILLA

Steps:

• If you plan to can the jam, prepare the jars according to the instructions here.
• In a large nonreactive pot, combine ingredients, adding both vanilla seeds and pods to the pot. Simmer over medium-low heat until the mixture is very thick and jammy, about 1 and 1/2 hours. Discard vanilla pods.
• If canning, spoon into hot sterilized jars and process as directed. Otherwise, let jam cool, then store in refrigerator or freezer.

TOMATO JAM

Steps:

• Toss tomatoes, sugar and salt together in a large, heavy bottomed pot. Let sit at least 15 minutes or up to overnight, tossing to coat periodically to dissolve the sugar. (This helps coax the juices out of the tomatoes.)
• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• Add the vinegar to the tomatoes, and bring to a strong simmer over medium heat until the skins burst and the juices start to boil, about 10 minutes. Add in any of the optional ingredients (see note), if using.
• Increase the heat to medium-high, and cook the jam. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir the jam, occasionally at first and more frequently as the juices thicken. Do this until most of the liquid has evaporated and the tomatoes have begun to break down, and the mixture resembles a very thick, shiny tomato sauce, 35 to 45 minutes. This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate at the bottom of the pot, increasing the chance that the fruit will burn.) How much the tomatoes break down will depend on their type and how ripe they are: For example, firm green tomatoes are likely to remain chunky, while ripe red tomatoes will break down almost entirely.
• To test for thickness, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it's not there yet, continue to cook a few minutes more.
• Remove from heat and discard the chiles de árbol, if using. Divide the jam between jars, leaving 1/4 inch of head space, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them up within a couple of weeks.

TOMATO JAM

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a heavy medium saucepan, Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often.
• Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture has consistency of thick jam, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then cool and refrigerate until ready to use; this will keep at least a week.