Sweet and Spicy Tomato Jam
I am so excited that I finally tried making tomato jam! It’s been something I’ve wanted to try for over 10 years but for some reason, I never got around to it. My dear friend Laura, who happens to be an amazing gardener, gave me a huge bowl of the most beautiful tomatoes. I made a caprese salad, some fresh salsa, tossed them in pasta, ate them plain with sea salt, and used the last of the heirloom tomatoes in this sweet and spicy tomato jam. Thank you, Laura!!!! This jam turned out sweet, a bit spicy, and so delicious! You can use this jam as a condiment on your burgers, sandwiches, chicken, pork, or beef. It’s also amazing on toasted bread with gooey cheese – which is my favorite way of eating it…guess what I’ll be making tomorrow?
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Tomato Jam
Heat a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, lime juice, ginger, cumin, cinnamon, crushed red pepper flakes, cloves, and sea salt, to taste.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, making sure to stir it often to avoid burning the bottom. The mixture will start out very watery but will cook down to a jam-like consistency.
Pour the mixture into an airtight container once it has cooled. Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Side Note: Before I pour the cooled jam into a jar, I remove a few of the tomato skins, but leave some because they give a nice texture to the jam.
Equipment
- Heavy-Bottomed Pot or Large Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs heirloom tomatoes cored and coarsely chopped
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- ½ tbsp fresh ginger peeled & grated
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes more if desired
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- Sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, lime juice, ginger, cumin, cinnamon, crushed red pepper flakes, cloves, and sea salt, to taste.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, making sure to stir it often to avoid burning the bottom.
- The mixture will start out very watery but will cook down to a jam-like consistency.
- Pour the mixture into an airtight container once it has cooled.
- Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
- Side Note: [/i]Before I pour the cooled jam into a jar, I remove a few of the tomato skins, but leave some because they give a nice texture to the jam.
I adore tomato jam! This must be very delicious with heirloom tomatoes.
I tried tomato jam last summer and really enjoyed it. I like the spicy accents in your recipe.
I’ve never heard of tomato jam, but I’ll bet it’s delicious on burgers. I can see putting it on top of the burgers, then adding cheese and putting them back under the broiler for 30 seconds.
love this Pam ! Never tried tomato jam but sounds really delicious !!
I LOVE the color of those tomatoes and I bet they made a ridiculously delicious tomato jam!!
Tomato jam is definitely one of my favorite ways to preserve summer’s flavors a bit longer! Love that this is sweet AND savory.
My eyes went straight to this picture on your blog! 🙂 This tomato jam looks and sounds delicious. Seriously, cant wait to try this recipe!
We’ve been making this for the past couple of years, and everyone loves it. We brought some out at a Christmas family gathering, and my sister-in-law took one taste and said “Oh, this is what I remember my grandmother making–it is so good!”. Thanks for posting this–y daughter is making another batch right now! We freeze it in 2-4 ounce portions.
Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I am so glad you love it!!
-Pam
I just made THIS!!! O m g. It’s amazing. I’m going to follow the suggestions to freeze it in small portions
PennyAnne,
Thank you for letting me know. I’m so glad you like the spicy tomato jam.
-Pam
I want to can this. Is that possible? I see refrigerate or freexe.
Alexandra,
I’ve never tried canning it so I’m not sure. If you try it, let me know how it goes.
-Pam
This jam is delicious. The possibilities are many. Cinnamon bagel and cream cheese; used with Barbeque sauce it creates another layer of flavor. My grandmother would make tomato jam and I had forgotten about many options it created. Thank you.
Trish,
I’m so glad you liked it!!! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
-Pam