Put the onion, jalapeno, garlic and sugar in a blender or food processor and process until minced. Add the tomatoes and process for at least a minute, until the mixture is completely smooth.
Add the vinegar and water and pulse to combine.
Transfer the mixture to a heavy bottomed pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn down the heat to a simmer. Add in the rest of the ingredients.
Simmer the sauce, uncovered, for 60-75 minutes. You don't have to hover over it, just stir occasionally. But like all good tomato sauces, it does have a tendency to splatter, so I used a splatter screen.
When the sauce is thick enough for you, taste to check the seasonings, and pour it into clean jars. Let it cool before refrigerating. It should keep at least a month in the fridge.
Notes
I know this process seems a little excessive, but these old sauces were real concoctions.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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