Sunday, March 16, 2025

Mom Walkers' Red Tomato Jam

I have the original card Mom W. wrote this recipe out on and yes, I've tasted this jam and it was an OMG moment for me! I suppose that I should do as Mom W. did and credit "Alvina", whomever she is, who gave this to Mom back in 1982.

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup seedless raisins
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 box fruit pectin
  • 6 cups sugar
  • 3 cups (or 2 lb) prepared tomatoes

TO PREPARE TOMATOES:

  1. In a large pot, boil water and lower to simmer around 6 quarts of water.
  2. Dip the tomatoes into the water until the skins begin to split. 
  3. Remove and place in a large bowl of cold water to chill (or allow to cool until you can handle them)
  4. Peel the skins off and discard them.

TO MAKE THE JAM

  1. Coarse chop the tomatoes and place in a medium saucepan, bringing to a boil and lowering to a simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Remove from the heat
  3. Measure out three cups of the tomato mixture and place in a heavy, large saucepan.
  4. Add lemon juice, fruit pectin, and spices
  5. Place over high heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a hard boil.
  6. Immediately add the sugar and bring to a full, rolling boil and keep boiling hard for 1 minute.
  7. Remove from the heat and skim off any foam with a metal spoon (METAL REQUIRED!)
  8. Keep stirring and skimming for five more minutes to cool it slightly and prevent floating fruit.
  9. Mix in the raisins and then ladle into HOT JELLY JARS (freshly sanitized is best)
  10. Cover with hot paraffin wax (food grade).

Makes around 7 cups.