Ketchup

Ketchup, or CATSUP, is a name given to certain sauces much valued for flavouring soups, meats, fish, &c. It may be prepared from a variety of fruits and vegetables; but the ketchups in most ordinary use are those made from common mushroom (Agaricus campestris), unripe walnuts, and ripe tomatoes. The fruit or vegetable is first broken or bruised with salt, and allowed to stand for about twenty-four hours to extract the juice; the juice must then be expressed, put into a pan, and boiled with appropriate seasonings until it is reduced to about half the quantity. It should be allowed to cool before it is bottled, and then, if tightly corked, will keep for years.