Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Fresh From Florida has delicious recipes for the food connoisseur. The delicious recipes feature agricultural products grown right here in Florida. Right now in season is our tasty red ripe tomato. The below tomato jam recipes are easy and convenient and don’t need to be processed like regular jams. According to our St. Johns County Agricultural Agent, Prissy Fletcher, “now is time to be pickin tomatoes!” No need to purchase recipe books when these recipes are available right on line. Here are a sample:

Florida Tomato Jam
3 Florida tomatoes, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Florida honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
½ sweet onion, diced small
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 lemon zested and juiced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning
Pinch red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons water
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Prep: Combine all ingredients into a medium pot. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for at least 30 minutes or until jam has reduced and thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
Fresh tip: Tomato jam can be used as a sandwich spread, burger topping, or served with seafood as a sauce.

Tomato Dill Jam
2 cups tomatoes, peopled and seeded
2 tbsp. shallots, minced
1 tbsp. garlic, minced
2 tbsp. fresh dill
2 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Prep: simmer tomatoes, shallots and garlic in a sauce pot until juice is reduced and mixture reaches a paste consistency. Remove from heat and stir in herbs. Season with salt and pepper.

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