Tomato Preserves

Serves:

Ingredients:

2 lb Very ripe, sweet tomatoes
2 lb Sugar
1 Vanilla bean
10 oz Water

Method:

In a wide preserving pan boil the sugar and water to a syrup.
Add the tomatoes, skinned and sliced.
Boil steadily, stirring fairly often, for about 35 minutes.
Put in the vanilla bean (vanilla essence will not do).
Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes longer, or until setting point is reached.
Remove the vanilla pod, skim the jam, and let it cool for a few minutes before turning it into small jars.
The cookbook says this is "particularly good when eaten in the French way, as a sweet, with fresh cream cheese or plain pouring cream.
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