In a saucepan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. When it shimmers, toss in the finely chopped onion. Stir it for about 5-7 minutes until it’s soft and translucent. The aroma will fill your kitchen. Now, add the minced garlic and optional jalapeño pepper. Cook for another minute, allowing the garlic to release its fragrant essence.

Next, you want to incorporate the diced tomatoes. If using canned tomatoes, pour in the juices as well. For fresh tomatoes, chop them ahead of time and add into the mix. Stir well, allowing those flavors to combine.

Now comes the interesting part. Add the tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, dark brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and maple syrup. This collection creates a harmonious blend. Feel free to adjust the sweetness with the brown sugar and maple syrup based on your taste.

Toss in chili powder, ground mustard, ground cloves, ground allspice, black pepper, and salt. Stir everything to ensure all ingredients are well-combined. This is where the magic of flavor begins to deepen.

Bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for about 20 minutes. Don’t forget to stir occasionally. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. The scent will make you want to dive right into it.

If you prefer a smoother ketchup, use an immersion blender to blitz it to your desired consistency. If you prefer it chunky, feel free to leave it as it is.

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the ketchup cool. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It’s great homemade goodness that gets better over time.