A year or two ago, while researching an article on ketchup, I had the plum assignment of trying every brand I could get my small hands on. What struck me was the multitude of choices, and I realized there was a whole world of ketchup beyond the few brands usually available in supermarkets. There was spiced ketchup, there was herbed ketchup; there was even ketchup made without any tomatoes. But of the many tomato-based ketchups I tried, a great favorite was one I just happened to stumble across, that made by Happy Girl Kitchen Co.
The “bottle” for this ketchup is a simple Mason jar devoid of labels. But I never mind packaging on the plain side, as it can be an indication that the company’s emphasis is on their food, exactly where it should be. And that’s the case here. This ketchup is dynamite! It’s a little sweet (without any of the high fructose corn syrup found in supermarket ketchups), and you’ll taste a little spice, too. Most of all, though, you will taste a full-flavored, slightly tangy condiment that can elevate any dish (even one as humble as scrambled eggs) to new heights.
Tomato juice, stewed tomatoes and crushed tomatoes.
Pickled beets, spicy dill and cherry jubilee.
This small-scale business is certified organic. Better yet, the majority of the fruits and vegetables used in their products are grown within twenty miles of their Aromas, CA location. Happy Girl Kitchen Co. has greatly expanded their roster since I first wrote about them. In addition to their ketchup, they offer crushed and stewed tomatoes, salsa, tomato juice, multiple types of pickled veggies (the cumin green beans sound great), and a few fruit preserves. If you live close by, you can also attend workshops, where you can learn home-canning techniques and take home jars of pickled good ness. For those of us not blessed to call sunny California home, online ordering is available. The gift boxes, at $29.99 each, is a good way to familiarize yourself with the company’s offerings without committing to a full-size jar.
