This homemade tomato ketchup will make you wonder why you ever bought a ketchup bottle from the store! Made with fresh tomatoes, and without any preservatives, it is delicious, healthy, and super easy to make. Use as a spread, a dip, or even in cooking curries!
Wash and cut the tomatoes into big chunks and put in a big pot along with the whole chilies**. Cook covered over medium heat until the tomatoes become soft. You don’t need to add any water. Occasionally stir the tomatoes in between. Takes about 25-30 mins.
Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. Discard the whole chilies and then grind the boiled tomatoes to a paste in a mixer.
Sieve the tomato paste to remove the skin and seeds. If you feel the need, sieve twice. This will make the sauce very smooth. You could skip the steps till here if you are using tomato puree.
Return the tomato paste into the pan and bring to a boil on medium heat. After one boil, add sugar, salt, ginger powder, and garam masala.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the tomato sauce till is very thick. Takes about 15 minutes. The sauce will start to spurt in the center when ready. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Remove from heat, mix in the vinegar, and leave it to cool before storing in sterilized jars or bottles.
Notes
*I always use fresh tomatoes but to make things faster, you can use tomato puree or canned tomatoes but then you are again adding those preservatives in your sauce.
**Whole chilies impart just a slightly spicy flavor to the sauce. Add them chopped if you like it hot or omit them completely.