Tomato Catsup

4 pounds tomatoes
1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon allspice
1 cup vinegar

Peel tomatoes, then drop 2 or 3 tomatoes at a time into boiling water. Leave them in the water for a minute, or until the skins begin to split. Remove them to a bowl until they are cool enough to handle. Peel and chop the tomatoes, making sure to catch all the juices. Simmer tomatoes and onion in a heavy saucepan until tender, about 10 minutes.

Pur e the tomato-onion mixture in a blender or food processor and return to saucepan. Add spices and vinegar and simmer, uncovered, very slowly, for 1 1/2 hours or until the mixture is reduced in volume by about a third. Stir frequently. Cool and pour into containers. Let cool before storing in the refrigerator for up to 4 months or in the freezer for 9 months.

Makes 48 ounces.