Banana Ketchup

• sultanas↗2 ounces
• onions↗3 ounces

  coarsely chopped

• garlic2 -3

  (big, fat ones)

• tomato paste↗3 fluid ounces
• cider vinegar↗1 1⁄3 cups

  or 1 1/3 cups malt vinegar

• bananas↗4

  very large and extremely ripe and cut into chunks

• water↗3 -4 cups
• dark brown sugar↗1⁄2 cup

  packed

• salt↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• cayenne pepper↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• golden syrup↗2 fluid ounces

  or 2 fluid ounces light corn syrup

• ground allspice2 teaspoons
• ground cinnamon↗3⁄4 teaspoon
• nutmeg↗3⁄4 teaspoon

  freshly grated if possible

• freshly ground black pepper1⁄2 teaspoon
• teaspoon ground cloves↗1⁄4
• tablespoons dark rum↗2

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Combine the raisins, onions, garlic, tomato paste and 1/3 cup vinegar in the container of a food processor; process the mixture until smooth, and then transfer the mixture to a large, heavy saucepan.

2. 2

   Add the banana chunks and another 1/3 cup vinegar to the food processor container; process the mixture until smooth and then transfer the banana mixture to the saucepan.

3. 3

   Add the remaining 2/3 cup vinegar, 3 cups water, brown sugar, salt and cayenne pepper.

4. 4

   Bring the mixture in the saucepan to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.

5. 5

   Reduce the heat to low and cook the ketchup, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1¼ hours.

6. 6

   If the ketchup threatens to stick to the bottom of the pan at any point, add some of the remaining water, up to 1 cup.

7. 7

   Add the corn syrup, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and cloves to the ketchup.

8. 8

   Cook the ketchup over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes longer, or until it is thick enough to coat a metal spoon.

9. 9

   Stir in the rum.

10. 10

    Remove the ketchup from the heat and let it cool a few minutes.

11. 11

    Force the ketchup through a fine sieve to strain it, pressing down hard on the solids.

12. 12

    Remove the ketchup from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

13. 13

    Store covered, in the refrigerator, for up to 1 month.