Homemade ketchup: A proven recipe for the perfect taste without preservatives

A group of Croatian food enthusiasts has shared a verified recipe for homemade tomato sauce that produces a rich, aromatic flavor without artificial preservatives. The method uses fully ripe summer tomatoes, onions, garlic, sugar, vinegar, salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, cinnamon, bay leaves, and laurel leaves. According to the recipe, the final product yields approximately two to 2.5 liters of sauce, depending on the moisture content of the tomatoes and how thick the sauce is desired to be. The ingredients required include five kilograms of fully ripened tomatoes, 500 grams of onion, three cloves of garlic, 150 grams of sugar, 100 milliliters of alcohol-based or apple cider vinegar (9%), 2 tablespoons of salt, one teaspoon of ground black pepper, one teaspoon of sweet paprika, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, three bay leaves, and two laurel leaves. The preparation process begins with washing and cutting the tomatoes into larger pieces, while the onion is peeled and chopped. These are placed in a large pot along with the garlic and cooked over medium heat for around 30 to 40 minutes until the vegetables soften completely. After this step, the mixture is pureed to remove the skins and seeds. The resulting pulp is returned to the pot, followed by adding the sugar, salt, vinegar, black pepper, and sweet paprika. The bay leaves and laurel leaves are added to the mixture either directly into the pot or into a strainer for later removal. The sauce is then simmered uncovered over low to medium heat for one and a half to two hours. As the mixture thickens, it must be stirred frequently to prevent burning. The sauce is considered ready when it reaches a consistency similar to store-bought varieties and leaves a slight mark on the bottom of the pot after being removed. At this point, the bay leaves and laurel leaves are removed, and the hot sauce is poured into previously washed, sterilized, and warmed glass jars or bottles. They should be sealed immediately to ensure freshness. For additional customization, the recipe suggests using a stick blender to achieve a smoother texture if a completely smooth sauce is desired. For a spicier version, small amounts of chili peppers can be added, while adjusting the amount of sugar allows for a sweeter taste. The key elements emphasized in the recipe are the use of well-ripe, juicy tomatoes and allowing sufficient time for cooking, longer cooking times are crucial for achieving the dense texture and deep flavor characteristic of homemade tomato sauce.