Autumn ketchup should be a thing.
There's something about the slow cook of a ketchup and the welcome plodding of the stirring that informs us to slow down. Plus, the smells from the kitchen will drift about the house.
Then, there's something about cranberry ketchup that taste like the holidays. Having it on hand will punch up your sandwiches, turkey or poultry dishes, and fries.
It's not easy to find, so there is a welcoming factor of making this and sharing with family and friends.
We've made it a few times now, so here's our most consistent recipe:
INGREDIENTS
5 bags of cranberries
2 large red onion, chopped
4 cups of filtered water
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of apple cider vinegar
1.5 tablespoon kosher salt
3 cinnamon sticks
Small handful of black peppercorns
5 close pods
PREPARATION
In a large pot, bring water to boil, turn down to simmer while you are prepping.
Portion out your ingredients and have them ready.
Rinse cranberries well. Remove any overly soft specimens. Add cranberries and onion to the water, bring to simmer. Cook for about two hours, stirring constantly. Using a potato masher, crush cranberries until there are none left. Note that water will reduce, this is desired.
Add all other ingredients, continue to simmer and stir to avoid burning. Clean sides occasionally, pushing that into the mixture. Mixture will thicken. Taste. Season until desired taste - typically sugars, salt and pepper.
After four hours, turn off and allow to cool to room temperature - this will take some time. Mixture will thicken and reduce more.
Once it is room temperature, remove from pot into either a serving bowl or, for fancier Gourmands, put it to a sauce dispenser.
This makes a lot by the way - you'll have enough through Christmas.
This ketchup translates best with salty foods, where the tarty, vinegary, sweet go well. Where is will not be a surprise on a turkey sandwich, it will surprise you on a burger (with lots of pickles) and crinkle cut fries. Crinkle cut fries are the best - I guess they go well with everything.
Meet Me in St Louis' Ketchup Scene - oh I know the feeling...except for the richness, and the maid.
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