Tomato jam with cinnamon

Tomato Jam with Cinnamon: A Flavorful Delicacy for Breakfast

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30-45 minutes
Total time: Approximately 1 hour
Servings: 6-8 jars of 250 ml

Welcome to the fascinating world of jams! Today I present to you a unique and delicious recipe: tomato jam with cinnamon. This combination of ingredients will surprise you with its intense aroma and sweet-sour taste. It is perfect to be served at breakfast, alongside a cup of coffee, tea, or milk. It can also be used as a filling for tarts, cookies, or pastries, adding a splash of color and flavor to your desserts.

A Brief History of Tomato Jam

Jams have a long-standing tradition, being made for thousands of years to preserve fruits during the cold season. Although tomatoes are often associated with savory dishes, their use in jams is a lesser-known but extremely tasty practice. This recipe combines the sweetness of ripe tomatoes with the acidity of apples, offering a fine texture and an unmistakable flavor.

Necessary Ingredients:

- 1 kg ripe but firm tomatoes
- 600 g sourer apples (preferably green or yellow apples)
- 200 ml water
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 700 g sugar
- A stick of cinnamon or a vanilla pod

Details about Ingredients:

- Tomatoes: Choose ripe but firm tomatoes. Avoid tomatoes with spots or bruises to achieve a quality jam.
- Apples: Use apples with a high acidity level, such as green ones, which are rich in pectin. This is essential to ensure a good consistency of the jam.
- Sugar: Helps both preserve the jam and balance the acidity of the tomatoes and apples.
- Cinnamon or vanilla: These spices add a warm and aromatic note, perfect for highlighting the taste of the tomatoes.

Preparation Technique:

1. Preparing the tomatoes: Wash the tomatoes and make a few cross cuts at the base. Bring a pot of water to a boil and immerse the tomatoes for 30 seconds. Remove them and quickly pass them through cold water to make peeling easier. Cut them in half, remove the seeds and excess liquid, then chop them into small cubes.

2. Preparing the apples: Wash the apples and cut them into cubes, without peeling or removing the seeds, as they are rich in pectin. If you want the apple flavor to be less pronounced, you can peel them.

3. Mixing the fruits: In a large bowl, combine the tomato cubes with the apple cubes and add the juice of one lemon. This will help maintain the vibrant color of the jam and add a note of acidity.

4. Preparing the syrup: In a heavy-bottomed pot, add the sugar and water, along with the juice of the other lemon. Keep on low heat, stirring, until the syrup reaches 110 degrees Celsius. If you don’t have a thermometer, check the syrup's consistency: it’s ready when it forms a white foam and drops retain their shape on a cold plate.

5. Boiling the jam: Add the tomato and apple mixture to the hot syrup, along with the cinnamon or vanilla pod. Let the jam simmer on low heat for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Testing the consistency: Take a teaspoon of jam and place it on a pre-cooled plate (kept in the freezer for 5 minutes). Let it cool for a few minutes, then check if it thickens. If so, the jam is ready!

7. Blending the jam: If you want a smoother jam, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture. Let it simmer for another 15-20 minutes to achieve the desired consistency.

8. Sterilizing the jars: While the jam is boiling, sterilize the jars. Place them in a preheated oven at 100 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, gently open the oven door and let them cool inside.

9. Filling the jars: Pour the hot jam into the sterilized jars and seal them well. Turn the jars upside down and let them cool naturally for a day. Then, store them in a dry, dark place.

Helpful Tip:

If you want to save time, you can make the jam using a pressure cooker, thus reducing the boiling time. Also, experiment with other flavors by adding ginger, cloves, or even a splash of rum for a more complex jam taste.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits:

This tomato jam recipe contains approximately 50 calories per serving (depending on the amount of sugar used). Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and lycopene, with their benefits recognized for heart and skin health. Apples add an additional source of fiber and vitamins, contributing to a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions:

- Can I use canned tomatoes? It is not recommended, as the consistency and taste of the jam may change. Use fresh tomatoes for the best results.
- How can I sweeten the jam if I don’t want to use sugar? You can experiment with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, but you will need to adjust the quantities and check the final consistency.
- What other fruits can I combine with tomatoes? You can add peaches, plums, or even berries to create a variety of flavors.

Serving Suggestions:

Tomato jam with cinnamon is perfect on a slice of toasted bread or with fresh cheese. Try it with pancakes or waffles for a special breakfast. Additionally, this jam can be wonderfully integrated into cake or baked dessert recipes, providing an original and unique touch.

I hope you will try this tomato jam with cinnamon recipe and that it will bring a smile to your face at every breakfast! Enjoy!