Catch up, would you.

As the hysteria that is canning season peaks, the titles of my posts will be groaners. As I tell my kids, that's how I roll.

Yesterday I processed 6 pints of Ketchup. you will need,

1 house to yourself
3 Cd's
6 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 medium onions, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup water
3 pounds tomatoes, quartered
5 Tablespoons vinegar
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1/2 Tablespoon allspice berries
1/2 Tablespoon whole cloves
1/2 Tablespoon celery seeds
1 teaspoon ground mace
1/2 teaspoon salt

If it is cool enough outside, open back door. Put Cd's in CD player, and start player. (my first selection was Sound Garden "B Side")

Carefully wash, core and quarter your tomatoes. Placing them in a heavy stock pot. Using a potato masher, smoosh the heck out of them. Cook over a medium heat. Bring to a light boil for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile. . .

Put you celery, onion and water in a medium saucepan. Cook over a medium heat. You will need a "Spoonman" to stir the mix occasionally. Cook until almost soft, 25 minutes.

Add the celery and onions to you mashed tomatoes, continue cooking until the vegetables are completely softened, 15 minutes. Strain tomato mixture in small batches through food mill into another small stock pot.

Stir in the remaining ingredients. Place the pot over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Continue boiling, stirring often to be sure that the ketchup is not sticking to the bottom of the pan, until the mixture thickens, kind of, for 15 to 20 minutes. Ladle into your sterilized pint jars, and process in a hot water bath for at least 40 minutes. Makes 1 1/2 pints.

I make larger batches of this recipe. I managed to listen to all 3 of my cds. I discovered yesterday that the stupid, embarrassing mom dance is hereditary. As I wiggled to some System of a Down, singing at the top of my lungs, stirring my ketchup over the stove. My neighbor walked in my open door. Let the giggle commence.