FINALLY, a condiment that both ketchup loving kids and health-advocating moms can agree on!
Lacto-fermented ketchup is healthier because it is missing the preservatives, food coloring, and corn-by-products of its commercial counterparts, but also because it aides in healthy digestion and contains the essential nutrients lost by cooking.
This fermented ketchup is as good, or better, than the commercial brands — even the organic ones. The light tangy flavor is altered by how long you allow it to ferment before storing in the refrigerator and by how much sugar or whey you use. If you prefer a spicier blend, simply add more black pepper or a dash or two of cayenne.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups raw tomato paste*
- ¼ cup raw honey or sugar
- 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar (Use this Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe or Braggs Brand.)
- 1/3 cup whey (Use this whey recipe or equivalent kombucha or kefir.)
- 1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 3 dashes fresh ground black pepper
- 2 dashes turmeric
- 2 dashes garlic powder or ½ teaspoon raw garlic sliced
- 4 dashes onion powder or 2 teaspoons raw diced onion
- Dash arrowroot starch (to thicken)
Directions:
1.*Blend raw tomatoes and suspend in a cheesecloth sack over a bowl until well drained. Repeat this process until you have two cups of “paste” from drained and squeezed tomatoes. (Save the juice to use as a flavoring for soups and other dishes by freezing it!)
2. Add all ingredients except arrowroot starch to a blender and blend until smooth. (Add more sugar or honey if you prefer a sweeter ketchup. Or add cayenne for a spicy ketchup.) Add arrowroot starch and blend for 30 more seconds.
3. Transfer to an air-tight mason jar and allow to rest on the counter for 24 to 48 hours (or up to a week for desired tangy flavor) to ferment.
4. When fermented, this ketchup will last in the refrigerator for several months. Happily, it is usually “sold out” within the week at our house.
*If a vegan ketchup is desired, use an equivalent amount or the kombucha or kefir in place of the whey to add the healthy probiotics.
