There's nothing quite like the rich, tangy flavor of homemade tomato sauce. It's a versatile ingredient that can transform a simple meal into a culinary masterpiece. And the best part? You can preserve that homemade goodness all year long by canning your tomato sauce. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of canning tomato sauce, from start to finish.
First things first, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment. For the tomato sauce, you'll need fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other herbs and spices you prefer. As for equipment, you'll need a large pot for cooking the sauce, a canning pot with a rack, canning jars with lids and rings, a ladle, a funnel, and a jar lifter. Make sure all your equipment is clean and sterilized before you start.
Once you have everything ready, it's time to prepare the tomatoes. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly and remove the stems. You can either leave the skins on or remove them. To remove the skins, you can blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for a few seconds and then transfer them to an ice bath. The skins should easily peel off. After that, chop the tomatoes into small pieces.
Next, heat some olive oil in a large pot over medium - heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic and sauté until they are translucent and fragrant. Then, add the chopped tomatoes to the pot. Stir well and let the tomatoes cook down. You can add salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices at this stage. Let the sauce simmer for about 30 - 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
While the sauce is simmering, it's time to prepare the canning jars. Place the jars, lids, and rings in the canning pot filled with water. Bring the water to a boil and let the jars and lids boil for at least 10 minutes to sterilize them. Keep them in the hot water until you're ready to fill them.
Once the tomato sauce is ready, carefully remove the jars from the hot water using the jar lifter. Place them on a clean towel. Use the ladle and funnel to fill the jars with the hot tomato sauce, leaving about 1/2 - inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth to ensure a good seal. Then, place the lids on the jars and screw on the rings finger - tight.
Now, place the filled jars back into the canning pot with the rack. Make sure the jars are covered with at least 1 - 2 inches of water. Bring the water in the canning pot to a boil again. Once it's boiling, start the timer. For half - pint and pint jars, process the jars in the boiling water for about 35 minutes. For quart jars, process them for about 40 minutes.
After the processing time is up, turn off the heat and let the jars sit in the canning pot for about 5 minutes. Then, use the jar lifter to remove the jars from the pot and place them on a towel. Let the jars cool completely. As they cool, you should hear a popping sound, which indicates that the jars have sealed properly. Check the seals by pressing on the center of the lids. If the lids don't move, the jars are sealed.
Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place. Your homemade tomato sauce is now ready to be enjoyed throughout the year. You can use it for pasta, pizza, soups, or any other dish that calls for tomato sauce. Canning your own tomato sauce not only gives you the satisfaction of making something from scratch but also ensures that you have a supply of delicious, homemade sauce whenever you need it.
So, don't let those fresh tomatoes go to waste. Make a big batch of homemade tomato sauce and can it using these tips. You'll be able to savor the taste of summer all year long.