Tomato and Hot Pepper Adjika
Description
A simple way to make a batch for later. Ingredient amounts are for two 500 ml containers. Choose meaty tomatoes so you won’t have to simmer the adjika for long. If you like, add any spices and seasonings to the sauce that highlight the tomato flavor. For long storage, use apple cider vinegar or 6% vinegar; for a velvety sauce, use vegetable oil. Store in a cool, dark place.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the listed ingredients. Wash the tomatoes in water together with the hot pepper. If the pepper is small, use several pods with seeds. Peel the garlic and rinse it in water.
- 2
Step 2
Cut the green cores out of the tomatoes and cut the tomatoes into pieces sized to fit through the meat grinder tube.
- 3
Step 3
Carefully cut off the stem of the hot pepper, trying not to touch either the cut or the seeds with your hands, as you can get burned.
- 4
Step 4
Pass all the chopped ingredients through a meat grinder using a fine-hole plate. If you prefer larger pieces of tomato, pepper, and garlic in your adjika, use a coarse-hole plate instead.
- 5
Step 5
Pour all the tomato mixture into a sauté pan or a pot with a non-stick bottom. Place the pan on the stove, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover with a lid.
- 6
Step 6
Add the sugar and salt. If desired, add herbs and spices at this stage, such as dried basil. Gently mix everything together.
- 7
Step 7
Simmer the adjika for about 30 minutes until reduced by half. The longer the sauce simmers on the stove, the thicker it will become. At the very end, add vegetable oil and vinegar, stir gently, and simmer for another 2–3 minutes. Scald the jars and lids with boiling water.
- 8
Step 8
Pour the adjika into scalded jars, filling them to the brim, and immediately screw on the lids by hand or with a canning wrench. Check that the jars are sealed properly and leave them to cool at room temperature for 24 hours.
- 9
Step 9
After the specified time, transfer the tomato and pepper adjika to the pantry and store until winter. Don’t forget to set aside a little of the hot sauce for yourself to try. Enjoy your meal!