Homemade Ketchup

Let me start out by saying that I couldn't make up my mind as to whether I should make this or not. I scanned through recipes and YouTube videos and the consensus was about 50/50. Some said it was totally worth it, others said it was a total waste of time. So I looked at my pile of tomatoes and thought, I like a challenge.

Well, now that I have done it... I am on the Totally Worth It Team! I don't think I will ever go back to store bought ketchup - well, unless I am out of tomatoes - LOL.

Here is the recipe I came up with. I know you are going to read this and wonder why in the world would I put apples in it? Well, mainly because I had them and because I wanted to reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. I like the flavor it added.

INGREDIENTS
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 small apples - peeled, cored & diced (should be about 1/2 cup diced)
4 lbs tomatoes (I used a variety)
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp hickory smoke flavor (optional)
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp mustard powder
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 cup vinegar

---

DIRECTIONS

1. On a large rimmed cookie sheet, place tomatoes and cayenne peppers in a single layer, coat lightly with olive oil and kosher salt. Place under broiler for 15 mins. You want a light roasted char on the tops of the tomatoes.
2. In a large saucepan or stock pot, heat oil on Medium/High heat. When hot, add onions and apples and sauté for 3-5 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent.
3. Remove tomatoes from the oven and dump them into the stock pot. Add remainder of ingredients and stir. (Now you can either blend now with an immersion blender or at the end. I did both for the best consistency.) Turn heat to medium-low, cover with a splash guard and cook for 45 mins to an hour, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.
4. Take the pot off the stove to cool slightly. Blend with an immersion blender or in a regular blender, making sure to take caution if the mixture is still hot.
5. Return to the stove and cook for another 45 mins to an hour, until reduced and desired consistency is achieved.